Compares two instructional strategies, prompting and direct instruction, to determine which produces dialogical reasoning in written essays concerning controversial issues. Participants were 45 sixth graders. Finds both strategies equally productive and concludes that the emphasis should be on providing thought-provoking, issues-oriented social…

Two approaches--Harnisch/Linn and Rasch-based--to comparing district-level student performance to system-level student performance were examined, using results for 3,607 students on a curriculum-referenced mathematics test. Both approaches addressed relative mean performance on categories of common items. A modification of one approach and an…

Determines and clarifies the differences and similarities between the goals and strategies for science teaching as perceived by elementary school teachers in Japan and the United States. Discusses teaching methods, content, and materials; lesson plans; classroom management; and student evaluation. Concluding comments address staff development in…

The teaching orientation of a graduating group of students on a BATESL course in Hong Kong is reviewed based on a questionnaire in the five categories of (1) language use; (2) lesson planning and decision making; (3) teaching approach; (4) professional status, relationship, and responsibilities; and (5) perceptions and values. Compares the…

A survey of 692 business-administration graduate students in four countries (Canada, Poland, Latvia, Philippines) indicates that students from different countries assign different rankings to the importance of business-administration courses in the curriculum, group courses into different thematic groups, and prefer different instructional…

Reviews literature on class size and its influence on student performance, attitudes, and behavior, highlighting a recent study of the effect of lecture-group size on the latter variables in an introductory college nutrition course. Student class-size preferences, attitudes about large-class characteristics, interest in the discipline, attitudes…

Results of an annual study of student opinions of courses at the London School of Economics and Political Science (England) show variations in level of satisfaction with a single teacher, even within the same course, according to teaching method. Predictors of these variations are examined, including teacher, course, and student characteristics.…

Maintains that U.S. society's emphasis on individuality and pragmatism renders theoretical study of criminal deviance difficult for many students. Presents a structured approach to this problem that includes an emphasis on practical applications, comparative analysis, analytical skills, and the substantive content of theories. Describes teaching…

Reviews post 1980 research on inclusion and the effectiveness of special education in general and argues that there is no compelling evidence showing that placement, rather than instruction, is the critical factor in student academic or social success. Research reveals a clear need for special education programs and does not support full-time…

The Third International Mathematics and Science Study Video Study of Teaching compared teacher development systems in the U.S., Japan, and Germany. Findings indicated that many American teachers believe they are changing the way they teach while they retain traditional practices. A research and development system was proposed for improving…

A national survey of information literacy instruction in Canadian academic libraries revealed that trends in teaching objectives, methods, and content have changed little in the past five years. Instructional librarians continue to face numerous challenges, particularly with regard to limited resources and faculty and student attitudes. (Contains…

A study analyzed factors affecting peer assessments of faculty quality and program effectiveness using the 1993 National Research Council graduate program survey. Results indicate determinants for faculty quality and program effectiveness are very similar. Further, programs in private institutions and/or institutions with more highly rated…

Describes differences between on-campus and distance learners by knowledge, skills, and abilities based on a comparative study of doctoral students at Texas A&M University. Highlights include student perceptions of their competencies; and the use of competency models as assessment tools for strategic decision making and development of courses…

Examines whether targeting instruction to students' weak points has an effect on their writing quality. Upper intermediate students in an English for academic purposes course were asked to write a composition before and after the instructional treatment. Comparison of results from the two tasks shows a significant increase in scores on both…

Compares the relative effects of cognitive style and training method on high school students' computer self-efficacy and learning performance. Explains measures used and statistical techniques, and discusses results that suggest gender, cognitive style, training approach, and training objective should be taken into account to assist students…