This study examines strategies employed by students as they make science presentations; assesses student's conceptual understandings of particular science topics; and investigates gender differences. Focuses on the methodology employed and how it helps inform these goals. Advice for teaching students to present science, implications for use of…

Suggests that the implications of the conclusions of another article in this issue are critical to writing instruction, in that they relate to the nature of craft in writing and its relationship to current views of language development and learning. Offers specific instructional processes to address students' differing capabilities in processing…

The introduction to the special section introduces three papers and two commentaries originally presented at the 1989 Project Directors' Meeting of the Federal Office of Special Education Programs panel discussion focusing on the importance of individual differences and critical methodological and conceptual considerations. (DB)

Investigates the effects of three methods of teaching on achievement in mathematics using traditional lecture method, interactive method with individual use of materials, and interactive method with group use of materials. Reports a significant interactive effect of gender and method of teaching on students' achievement. Contains 25 references.…

Many teachers must find ways to make math more meaningful to females and show that all careers are options for all students. Presents conflicting opinions on the causes of gender differences and implications for improving mathematics teaching and learning. (Contains 14 references.) (ASK)

Examined Japanese children's experiences at a U.S. elementary school, noting their teachers' pedagogical responses. Two discourses of difference (individual and social/cultural difference) were used in the school in somewhat dichotomous ways, and the combination worked against children who had difficulty adjusting. Recommends a nonessentialist…

This article examines how one of the first initiatives in what now is known as "special education" came into existence in the historical context of the Netherlands. It focuses on the first private and autonomous institution for mentally retarded pupils, the so-called "School for Idiots", established in 1855 in The Hague by…

This study assesses a new measure of early childhood classroom practice in 127 kindergarten- and first-grade classrooms. The measure was designed to be appropriate for classrooms serving children from the age of 4-7 years. It assesses the nature and quality of instruction as well as the social climate and management of the classroom. Two separate…

Nearly every day the author responds to myriad issues related to the implementation of No Child Left Behind (NCLB). He tries to remain positive as he works through the minutiae found in federal and local educational mandates. Increasingly, however, he finds his mind escaping to a place where the focus of the conversation is on real…

To investigate students' self-monitoring practice and effects of educational level and task importance on self-monitoring, 510 students, varying in educational level from elementary through graduate school, reported the self-monitoring strategies they employed in three learning situations with different levels of task importance. The study…

Pupils' mistakes, if suitably analysed, may give useful suggestions for improving the teaching/learning process of mathematics. We present here the main issues of an investigation on a population of 732 Italian pupils (9--12 years old), addressed to determine the typology of errors in performing written subtraction. We compared our results with…

Although most universities in the Muslim world publicly recognize and support the teaching of Western literature, the exploration of some Western literary themes (for example, self-determination, sexual liberation, and gender equality) is viewed negatively by authority figures as well as by some professors and students. To reconcile this concern…

This paper focuses on the influence of high school science class size on students' achievement in introductory college science courses and on the variation of teacher practice across class size. Surveys collected information about high school science class experiences from 2754 biology, 3521 chemistry, and 1903 physics students across 36 public…

"Although the description of mentorships can be traced back to ancient Greek history," most of the empirical research on mentorships has been conducted within the past two decades. Such research has tended to focus on the relationship itself--an intense, personal bond that spans a spectrum of activities and time. This article, however,…

Even through simplistic nursery rhymes, communication provides a powerful medium through which people formulate and create impressions, images, and ideologies. Communication, verbal and nonverbal, clearly plays a significant role in individual gender construction. Through words and action, people create meaning for others and themselves. One's…