The term computational thinking (CT) has been in academic discourse for decades, but gained new currency in 2006, when Jeanette Wing used it to describe a set of thinking skills that students in all fields may require in order to succeed. Wing's initial article and subsequent writings on CT have been broadly influential; experts in…

The term scientific literacy is increasingly used by governments and teaching bodies, stemming from a growing international concern by scientists and government, who recognize the economic significance of developing scientific skills (McGregor & Kearton, 2010). However, in a society that requires students to be scientifically literate,…

As K-12 schools increase the presence of and access to technology, the role of school librarians is changing. Many librarians have not been prepared by their colleges and universities for the changes demanded by their jobs. In this article, we discuss the skills that 47 school librarians reported having learned on the job as opposed to in…

Much attention has been given to the idea that librarians working in K-12 schools who graduate from school library programs are not simply book-shelvers, quietkeepers, and break-givers to other teachers. Rather, they are important members of the school community's instructional team and are certified educators qualified to deliver instruction…

Given the known relationship between physical inactivity and chronic disease (US Dept. of Health and Human Services [USDHHS], 2000, 2001), learning more about antecedents for physical activity engagement is an important research priority. In this vein, a number of studies have found a relationship between perceived and actual motor skill…

How task analysis--the reduction of skills needed to master a complex objective to sequential behavioral steps--can help art teachers meet the needs of handicapped learners is discussed. Rather than emphasizing activities for disabled learners, emphasis should be placed on the skills learners must master to complete the activity. (RM)

Evaluation of skill development is a primary goal in physical education. A method of evaluation that divides motor skill performance into four generic levels provides teachers with a quick and efficient means of assessing skill development. (DF)

Reading and writing assessment which focuses on fragmented, isolated skills provides little information about how children actually read and write. An holistic alternative, the systematic observation of children's reading and writing behavior as they occur in natural settings, is discussed. (Author/CB)

A discussion of the impetus for the back-to-basics movement, requisites for skill identification, evaluation of achievement in basic skills, curriculum, and staff development is presented. (MK)

Identifies five obstacles to effective teaching of thinking skills, including lack of consensus among teachers, lack of knowledge among teachers, mistaking of skills testing for skills teaching, teaching of too many skills in too little time, and testing that inhibits students' thinking skills. (JW)

Summarizes the current state of the art of bibliotherapy, discusses differences between reading guidance and bibliotherapy, and discusses the preparation necessary for work in this area, focusing on the needs of librarians working with children and adolescents. Available options for training in bibliotherapy and organizations that will provide…

Issues pertaining to thinking skills are discussed in an attempt to clarify what thinking skills are and their components, how they function and how they can be developed in the teaching-learning environment. Chapter 1 reviews the definitions of thinking skills. These definitions are selected from the current literature on education and…

This journal issue addresses the issue of testing in the social studies classroom. The first article, "The Role of Testing" (Bragaw), focuses on the need for tests to reflect the objectives of the study completed. The varying functions of pop quizzes, weekly tests, and unit tests are explored. "Testing Thinking Processes" (Killoran, Zimmer, and…

This guide for school library media specialists presents seven learning outcomes in library media skills that were identified in "The Library Media Program: A Maryland Curricular Framework" and matches them with appropriate library media skills/attitudes. It is noted that these matches produce indicators that are fully integrated to describe…

Contributions of motor skill and cognition to sport performance change across age, expertise, and sports. Knowledge and decision making should not limit the development of expertise. Specific strategies for teachers may help students develop expertise. The paper discusses the contribution of knowledge and skill to expertise and its development.…