This yearbook provides teaching strategy topics of general interest to social studies teachers of all grade levels. This first annual yearbook focuses on using social studies to bring the world closer to home. There are 17 papers, including: (1) "Getting Ready for the World" (Angene H. Wilson); (2) "Making Cultural Connections: A…

The effects of student coaching in preparation for the College Board Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) on the predictive validity of this test for freshman year performance were studied using data on 1985 freshman year students from four colleges. After the validity of the SAT was estimated for each school, a given proportion of students was picked,…

This classroom kit, designed by curriculum developers working with teachers and scientists from the SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) Institute, helps teachers guide students in the exploration of life through the multidisciplinary sciences of paleontology and exobiology. It reflects the real-life methods of science: making…

The Work Keys (trademark) system of the American College Testing program has combined assessments of listening and writing into a single test administration. The Listening and Writing assessment uses independent scorings of the examinee's written responses to audiotaped prompts to assess both listening and writing skills separately. This paper…

A study was conducted to develop a test that is able to capture knowledge of an intuitive nature, such as that acquired through discovery learning. The proposed test format is called the "what-if test." Test items in this format consist of the presentation of a situation. A change in the situation is introduced, and learners have to…

This guide provides students with experiences similar to those found in a space laboratory such as the space shuttle. The activities are geared towards recycling, developing the perspective of a conservationist, taking action on a personal level that contributes to a healthy atmosphere, and preparing informed citizens that are capable of making…

Career educators and counselors have long recognized that factual information about careers and employability skills, presented in traditional classroom formats, do not prepare students to enter the workplace. This digest explores the move toward stronger experiential learning in career education. Career education initiatives such as work…

This military history board game can be used as an extracurricular, extra credit, or classroom incentive project. The game serves to quantify an historical event so that it enriches the study of history for both verbally and mathematically inclined students. Although most suitable for eighth grade and above, the game may be played by some younger…

This paper discusses methodologies which allow in-depth exploration of usage patterns and preferences in screen-based computer-mediated communication (CMC). The paper, which focuses on usage by the general public, is divided into five parts. The first part discusses the growth trends and special characteristics of CMC in comparison to other…

Half of New York State's 50 school-to-work (STW) programs are in rural areas. Following background on the development of New York's STW initiative, this paper describes four programs that are overcoming rural barriers to building an STW system. The GLOW Partnership addressed a primary concern of business partners: over-saturation of the limited…

Designed to introduce concepts in international trade and global economics to upper elementary and secondary level students, this simulation activity engages students in the group task of assembling flashlights. A variety of topics can be explored, such as energy shortages, international crises, relationships between rich and poor nations, foreign…

The performance of the following four methodologies for assessing unidimensionality was examined: (1) DIMTEST; (2) the approach of P. W. Holland and P. R. Rosenbaum; (3) linear factor analysis; and (4) non-linear factor analysis. Each method is examined and compared with other methods using simulated data sets and real data sets. Seven data sets,…

In this paper a quadratic curve equating method for different test forms under a random-group data-collection design is proposed. Procedures for implementing this method and related issues are described and discussed. The quadratic-curve method was evaluated with real test data (from two 30-item subtests for a professional licensure examination…

The purpose of the training model described in this paper is to provide proactive and intervention strategies for managing classroom conflict. The impetus for the creation of this model came from a workshop collaboratively developed by high school students, teachers, and university faculty. The training model is designed for both prospective and…

This introduction to computer simulations as an integrated learning experience reports on their use with students in grades 5 through 10 using commercial software packages such as SimCity, SimAnt, SimEarth, and Civilization. Students spent an average of 60 hours with the simulation games and reported their experiences each week in a personal log.…