Among the many teaching strategies that actively engage students are writing tasks, speaking activities, small-group activities, case-study methods of instruction, simulations, role plays, and field studies. The use of writing and small-group discussion by teaching assistants is discussed. (MLW)

Two University of Rhode Island teachers, of journalism and economics, designed student projects simulating real interactions between professional journalists and economists. The projects increased both groups' ability to communicate, awareness of communication needs, interdisciplinary understanding, and mutual respect. (MSE)

An Auburn University (Alabama) program that modified instructional methods to fully include students who use a wheelchair in the chemistry laboratory is described. The program focuses on modifying classroom activities without changing the basic principles taught. The piloting of six modified laboratory experiments is discussed, and recommendations…

Describes a five-year research and development project that led to the creation of a decoding program for poor readers in grades one through eight. Uses action research as a means of developing the program and modifying the research. Finds that the word identification program enabled students to become better decoders and allowed them to make…

A university president and cochair of the Knight Foundation Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics looks at recent efforts to reform and renew college sports, the effects of those efforts, and directions for the future. Another president and chair of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's presidents' commission offers their perspective on…

Discusses the origins and operation of The Manhattan New School, an alternative elementary school in New York City that opened in 1991, with a focus on the extensive staff development and literacy programs conducted by the school. (MDM)

Examines three early childhood gifted programs at the University of Illinois: (1) University Primary School, which uses an interest-based curriculum; (2) Retrieval and Acceleration of Promising Handicapped Talented, with a teacher-determined curriculum; and (3) Bringing Out Head Start Talents, serving children from lower class families in a…

Profiles 11 companies and government agencies that work in partnership with the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) to improve the science and math education of American Indian students. Support to AISES chapters, schools, colleges, and universities is given through scholarship monies, fellowships, internships, and goods and…

A Finnish program of professional development among entry-level teachers over one year used teacher portfolios to promote reflection and self-assessment on teaching experiences. Developmental essays written by participating teachers were analyzed for their reflectiveness, degree of professional autonomy, and focus on contextual factors and…

A heterogeneous distributed database systems (HDDS) offers distance education networks feasible, simple, cost-effective, and efficient database access systems. An HDDS can be used to provide information on available courses, course design, registration procedures, hardware and software use and availability, and library resources. (Author/AEF)

Considers the benefits of extensive reading, examines some of the reasons for its failure to take off, describes two programs, and offers teachers some leading questions to help them develop their own programs. (three references) (Author/CK)

As part of a cross-disciplinary project to develop interactive, multimedia college instruction, a mathematics team developed a hypertext version of an existing textbook and created seven modules in basic calculus. Lessons and principles learned about courseware development are presented here to help faculty without previous software experience to…

Discusses the design and production of multimedia Danish language materials for classroom or self-access use by learners of Danish as a Second Language and examines issues applicable to other uses of multimedia in language learning. (23 references) (MDM)

An electronic mail project designed to create personal dialogue between native speakers and college students in a modern French civilization course is described. It was found that French participants added nuance to generalizations about their culture and brought understanding to certain historical events occurring during the course. Linguistic…

Discusses the history, characteristics, and purposes of the "ecole maternelle," the French system of free public preschool education for two- to five-year-old children. Focuses on the classes for two year olds, and particularly their enrollment levels, schedules, and links with day care. Describes research on the classes. (BB)