A technique that consultants may use to help their clients define, value, and assess goals, the card sort may be used to establish goals for systematic designs addressing instructional, individual, or organizational problems. Examples illustrate its use and three references are listed. (Author/CHC)

Applies three major points of American pragmatism to the development of technical writing assignments: (1) restricting the writing environment to the practical, workaday world, (2) emphasizing the complex contexts of purpose and audience, and (3) verifying the effectiveness of any piece of writing by its intentions. Offers criteria by which both…

Presents a dynamic class management model for writing instruction, which can be modified over the school year to meet students' changing instructional needs. (SJL)

Differences between curriculum-based assessment and curriculum-based measurement (CBM) are outlined, and a rationale for CBM's standardized, long-term goal approach to measurement is presented. CBM can be used to develop instructional programs in four ways, including judging the appropriateness of goals and contrasting the efficacy of different…

A checklist is presented that provides an organizational framework for the development, review, and selection of instructional techniques and programs for persons having severe handicaps. The checklist covers instructional content, description of learner population, instructional methods, testing and recording, individualization, program…

Describes a training program developed for graduate students who serve as instructors of the introductory course in economics instruction at Syracuse University. Considers the problems involved in developing coherence and quality control in a multisection/multiteacher course. Reviews the instructional development process and evaluates the quality…

Assessed a preschool health education program. Preschoolers of four, five, and six years attended a 15-week health education program, and 19 of the children took pretests and posttests of health knowledge. Results indicated an increase in health knowledge. Six curriculum objectives were shown to have higher scores at the posttest than at the…

The founding policies of precision teaching are discussed: monitor frequency daily, use self-recording, use standard charts to display major changes, and accept that the child knows best how he or she learns. Contributions of teachers that have furthered the development of precision teaching are documented. (JDD)

Contends that, when discrete choice models are taught, particularly the probit model, it is the method rather than the interpretation of the results that is emphasized. This article provides a graphical technique for interpretation of an estimated probit coefficient that will be useful in statistics and econometrics courses. (GG)

Presented are guidelines for designing and incorporating cooperative group learning strategies into teacher preparation courses. Guidelines include determining appropriate content, selecting a cooperative format, forming cooperative groups, teaching cooperative skills, providing feedback, and evaluating learning. The student satisfaction results…

The article describes a one-page form ("Collaborative Options--Outcome Planner") to provide a format for prereferral consultation by special or regular educators. Designed to help educators in the self-questioning and problem solving process, the form can be implemented in four steps. (DB)

The review of the literature on aided communication illustrates the differences between "aided" and "normal" communication and outlines an intervention strategy which aims to modify the behavior of both interactive partners. (DB)

Discusses the use of assessment to guide instruction using individual interviews, good questioning techniques, observations, and student portfolios. (MKR)

This article presents principles, options, and factors to consider when determining the amount of time and the kinds of instruction that should be provided to students with severe intellectual disabilities in regular education classrooms and other settings. These include intellectual ability; chronological age; related services;…

Proposes instructional strategies for directors of jazz groups, including guidelines for developing of skills necessary for good performance. Includes effective methods for positive changes in ensemble style. Addresses jazz group problems such as beat, tempo, staying in tune, wind power, and solo/ensemble lines. Discusses percussionists, bassists,…