This digest debunks myths about developmentally appropriate programs (DAPs) and discusses essential characteristics of developmentally appropriate practices. Common myths or erroneous assumptions about DAPs assume that: (1) there is only one right way to implement a DAP; (2) DAPs are unstructured, and practitioners offer minimal guidance to the…

As enrollments decline, many institutions rush to implement distance education programs, often with only crude or solely administrative guidelines for program development. The following seven principles of good practice can be useful to guide initial program development: (1) programs should have purpose, direction, leadership, and clearly…

This literature review on educational alternatives for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) reports that only 17 citations were found that specifically addressed teacher training, program efficacy, or management of ADHD children. One was a teacher training program developed as a dissertation project, seven were research…

Effects of introducing performance-based assessments into the classroom were studied by examining instruction, student learning, and teacher attitudes and practices. As part of the larger study, workshops were conducted with third-grade teachers from three schools engaged in constructing performance assessments of literacy. Data from transcripts…

This book is a "how-to" volume on implementing a career ladder program for challenged youths in transition from school to adult life. It presents an approach to career exploration, training, placement, and ongoing development that coordinates career-oriented activities with classroom activities. The core of the program is the community classroom,…

Western Illinois University, the sixth largest university in the state, opened the GTE Electronic Classroom for use by faculty and students in January 1993. The classroom is a state-of-the-art visual presentation and electronic interaction facility that promotes the use of advanced technologies for large image video projection and discussion.…

Many critics of American education see technology as an important tool in bringing about the kind of revolutionary changes called for in new reform efforts. Consequently, support for the use of technology to promote fundamental reform appears to be reaching a new high. Following an introduction describing elements of school reform, Chapter 2…

This workbook presents guidelines and information on the use of cooperative learning (an instructional technique that requires students to work together in small, fixed groups on a structured learning task) and the development and implementation of student learning teams in postsecondary education. The workbook covers: (1) a definition of…

This investigation monitored the perceived effectiveness of a professional development program, called Facilitating Effective Learning and Teaching, in improving teacher practice. The program assumes that improvement is likely when the participants understand and value the learning process and themselves as learners and teachers. Program…

This article examines the teacher training program at the Canada-China Language Centre in Beijing, China, and the communicative teaching methodology that it employs in helping scientists, government officials, and other professionals improve their English language skills. The staff consist of both Canadian and Chinese teachers of English, who…

This report discusses the implementation of integrated intervention strategies to improve the classroom behavior of 30 third-grade students. Students' disruptive behavior was identified from two classroom observations, teacher questionnaires, and interviews with the school counselor. Objectives projected for the intervention were that students…

Authentic performance assessments--when used simultaneously with matching curricular practices--are a promising development for practitioners and students alike. A major benefit for practitioners appears to be the opportunity to redefine the curriculum and guide instruction. Benefits for students include the opportunity to engage in authentic work…

This booklet provides an overview of IST (Individualized Study by Technology) programs at small, isolated rural high schools in Alaska, which use individualized microcomputer-based courses to provide a more complete curriculum. First, a general description is given of the IST program, which utilizes teachers, traditional texts, and printed…

The development of the Alberta Diagnostic Reading Program (ADRP) was based on a current psycholinguistic theory that describes reading as a process in which the reader uses background information to communicate with the author. To ensure its usefulness and effectiveness, the developers of the ADRP sought the advice and direct involvement of many…

The Technology for Literacy Center (TLC) was designed to find a new and better way to teach literacy skills to adults by using computers and other forms of technology. It served 1,300 illiterate adults in the St. Paul, Minnesota, area of Ramsey, Washington, and Dakota counties. The project had four major components: direct services, training,…