Under a block schedule, students generally attend fewer but longer classes. Teachers who have tried the approach say they accomplish more in each class session and use a variety of teaching strategies and learning activities. A chart explains the most common varieties of block scheduling. (MLF)

Discusses three goals of character development for elementary school children: promoting (1) cooperative relationships and mutual respect; (2) moral agency; and (3) a moral community based on fairness, caring, and participation. Explores teaching strategies for building self-esteem and fostering cooperation, moral reflection, and participative…

Suggests five techniques for combining learning with fun, including (1) lessons that evoke the joy and pride of mastery, (2) learning adventures, (3) "democratic" classrooms, (4) educational games and discovery learning centers, and (5) reward or rest breaks from study. (CJM)

This paper describes present learning environments for students with mild disabilities, especially instructional practices that thwart student motivation for learning. The Foxfire experiential approach to learning is then outlined, through discussion of 11 core practices that promote student involvement in instructional decision making and the…

Discusses Plenary Review, a policy decision process utilized in a series of experimental seminars. Emphasizes the use of students as decision makers to assess the social, economic, moral, political, and institutional consequences of implementation efforts in a public policy area. Recommends decision forcing and praises the multidimensional…

The Self-Actualizing Case Method (SACM) fosters high trainee involvement by making the group responsible for all aspects of the case study, including its presentation, analysis, and peer evaluation. The authors discuss this teaching method and include a survey analysis of trainees' attitudes to SACM. (PD)

This essay argues that the development of leadership skills in the education of college students should be on the agenda of all faculty and describes ways to build the development of leadership skills into virtually any course or program of study through a technique called Reflective Controversy. An opening phase of the essay describes the signs…

Although student writers will accept evaluation more readily from their peers than from their instructors, beginning writers in particular hesitate to offer suggestions to another writer because they do not want to hurt their fellow students' feelings, and because they do not feel they know enough to evaluate someone else's work. The collaborative…

Advocates using unassigned, student-generated topics for writing assignments. (EL)

Studies effects of three styles of seminar presentation on the group decision-making process and group dynamics of 126 mature management students. Finds that using a written presentation and offering ideas as guidance increased student participation in discussion and problem solving. Suggests that the briefing paper style tends to encourage…

Noting that, in general, collaborative peer writing groups benefit students but that teacher and student preparation would improve the efficacy of collaborative writing method, this bibliography provides detailed information on sources useful for introducing writing students to the vocabulary and terminology of the composition community. Materials…

This issue begins with "Listen to a New Word: Publishing from the Grassroots" (Rachel Martin) about a movement to publish the writings of adult literacy participants. The article looks at what these writings have to say about the world and why the world needs to listen. "Effective Practice: Panning for Gold" (Zona Johnson,…

Beginning in fall 1982 the Aurora West Public Schools (Illinois) conducted a multi-year study to identify the nature of their instructional programs and to establish a set of position statements that would serve as guides for program review and change. A significant element of the process was the involvement of the entire staff in development of…

Contends that teachers have an obligation to select classroom management strategies that help students develop skills for responsible citizenship. Asserts that involving students in participative decision making is essential to this process. Provides four guidelines and 17 subguidelines derived from classroom management research. (CFR)

Reports results of research on the effects of open education on student outcomes, using classroom authority structure analysis. Maintains that student outcomes are contingent on the congruence between formal and informal authority structure. Concludes that more congruent authority structure was related to higher reading comprehension and…