Recent science reform documents have called for incorporating authentic scientific discourse into science classes as engaging in discourse has shown to result in numerous benefits. Whether these benefits are observed in students depends upon the quality of the discourse in which they engage. However, characterizing the quality of student-student…

Suggests some questions and prompts that teachers can adapt and use to promote mathematical power in their students. Argues that asking children to share their strategies for solving problems is a simple but powerful learning tool for promoting understanding. Presents four classroom vignettes as an example. (ASK)

The lesson for junior high and secondary social studies classes illustrates the effects of a breakdown in the functioning of one key system in an interdependent network. Based on an airline strike, the activity involves students in identifying the subsystems affected by the strike, devising solutions, and writing business reports about the…

Children's (ages 8-12) interactive social responses to computers were examined. Results showed that students had not considered the social implications of using another's data. When infringements of their rights to privacy took place, students demanded penalties. Students showed preference for group problem-solving strategies. (RM)

Presents techniques aimed at promoting a higher level of student-faculty interaction and active student participation in the learning process in introductory physics lecture classes. Discusses group problem solving, the use of flash cards, and assessment. (JRH)

This study evaluated two social skills interventions designed to increase the peer acceptance of six students (ages 10-12) with learning disabilities in regular classrooms. The students were instructed in two social skills strategies as well as in skills for working in small groups and leading group activities. Two mnemonic devices were used to…

This guidebook focuses on the problems facing teachers in small group teaching. It is organized in three parts, each dealing with a specific common problem. Part One deals with clarifying instructional goals for the group. Part Two concerns interaction within the group and between the students and the teacher. Part Three encompasses the…

Gaming, an approach to problem solving that engages a real life situation, is a technique particularly appealing for design students because it permits learning about the process of change in a dynamic environment requiring periodic decisions. Two games about consensus decisions are discussed: KEEPS and Senior Center Game. (MLW)

Discusses the importance of teacher intervention in the use of Logo in elementary and junior high schools, emphasizing a process-oriented approach to teaching. The use of worksheets, questioning techniques, and providing a socially reflective and interactive environment are described, and a checklist to see if criteria are being successfully met…

Discusses conception, design, implementation, and evaluation of a calculus course that utilizes a multi-user microcomputer system with graphics terminals. The numerical and utility routines of the software are briefly described, and examples of several types of calculus problems that can be solved utilizing the system are reviewed. (Author/MBR)

Environmental education is the study of human interaction with the environment and is linked with experiential education. Lists goals of environmental education, why experiential methods should be used, how to introduce these methods and some existing programs using experiential methods. (LC)

Suggestions to help faculty discover ways of achieving interactive, investigatory, and intimate learning environments in large settings are provided. The instructional objective is to empower students to take responsibility for their own learning. (MLW)

Playing simulation games is seen as having obvious educational value with players learning through personal involvement. Several games are described, including Communication Networks, Heating and Air-Conditioning (HAC), Construction Management Game, Semiotics, Awards, Blocks, Would You Like to Be an Architect?, POLIGRIP, and PASS. (MLW)

This guide presents materials for use in a workshop designed for a combined audience of parents of children with emotional handicaps and professionals in the mental health and special education fields. The workshop is designed to provide quality interactions between parents and professionals that may affect their attitudes toward each other in a…

This book shows school professionals how to develop and use the knowledge and skills needed for effective professional collaboration, including team meetings, parent conferences, co-teaching, and problem solving with colleagues. The publication provides pedagogical aids including advance organizers, chapter objectives, and practice and application…