Describes an analytical chemistry course restructured around the use of cooperative groups to help students become active learners in a non-competitive environment. Five years of experience with the course indicates that the syllabus covers almost exactly the same content as old courses and that test scores compare favorably on the national level.…

Custom mapping, an experiential learning strategy used in adventure education, provides a general metaphoric activity and then requires the group to customize it into their own "meta-map." This approach encourages collaboration, gives the group a high degree of autonomy in developing creative solutions, and has the potential to generate…

Explores what is important when choosing a mathematics word problem and when modifying it to suit particular students' backgrounds and cultures. For example, potentially good problems have multiple entry and exit points which can have several right answers, blending of different mathematical ideas, linkages to problems in other situations, and…

Criticizes the National Science Education Standards for using an example lesson that contradicts support for students engaging in scientific inquiry. Suggests a multiculturally inclusive approach engaging students in a role-playing activity as members of the University of Alexandria. Students are involved in scientific inquiry with Eratosthenes,…

Describes teaching strategies in which children are encouraged to develop computational procedures that are meaningful to them. Authors state that classroom observation reveals most primary students to be capable of developing their own accurate solution procedures for multi-digit addition and subtraction as well as for simple multiplication and…

Asks the questions (1) what is critical thinking in music?; (2) why is it so important that we engage students in it?; and (3) what does it have to do with music education? Answers these questions and elaborates on the notion of critical thinking as an educational goal and tool. (MJP)

Discusses student empowerment and the importance of including students in planning and implementing conflict resolution programs. The paper describes the "Winning Against Violent Environments" (WAVE) program which trains students to be peer mediators who train other students and adults to be mediators and conflict managers. (SM)

A consultation framework with strong theoretical and conceptual support is presented, called the Collaborative Model for Promoting Competence and Success (COMPASS). The overall goal of COMPASS is to provide indirect intervention to help students with autism achieve competence. COMPASS was also designed to provide collaboration among educators and…

A Web-based curriculum requiring critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills was developed. A multidisciplinary team of educators created the "virtual exchange." Students are assigned a scenario character to portray in their interactions with the other characters (students). They interact on the Internet to promote critical thinking…

This article provides an overview of the basic features of the protective behaviors (PBs) approach and suggests that the PBs approach is relative to people with mental retardation, particularly in relation to issues of vulnerability and empowerment. It provides examples of the application of PBs approach in clinical settings. (Contains 7…

Described is a nonmajor mathematics course taught using computers and lab experiments. Included are the challenge, solution, description of the first class, problems, successes, the syllabus, student comments, and the conclusion. (KR)

Presents information in brief on changing priorities in science education. Cites three categories of aims for science, traits of underachievers, and the processes of science. Includes reflections on the Salter's GCSE Scheme of Assessment, the integration of science and drama, and a historical perspective of practical work in school science. (RT)

Discusses two computer problem solving programs: rule-based expert systems and decision analysis expert systems. Explores the application of expert systems to automated chemical analyses. Presents six factors to consider before using expert systems. (MVL)

Discussed are the results of a teacher training workshop on problem solving and classroom demonstrations. The materials and topics used in the workshop are listed. Suggestions for using problem solving and classroom demonstrations are provided. (CW)

Discussed are similarities between college courses described as exemplary by the Society of College Science Teachers. Various strategies used to teach problem solving based on a three-stage model are highlighted. The process of identification of exemplary programs is discussed. (CW)