The felt-experience exercise is a form of cooperative learning. Participants are placed into dyads in which they interact with one another to realize and deepen their understanding of themselves, their partner, and the course content. Meaning is created through written reflection on personal experience and dialogue with one's partner. The…

The primary goal of this study was to assess the ability of maltreated school-age children and adolescents to understand the thoughts, feelings, and points of view of others. Level of egocentrism and social perspective-taking coordination were assessed in a group of 49 maltreated and 49 demographically matched nonmaltreated children. Twenty-six…

This unit is designed to help students better understand the concept of nationalism and the powerful influence it has on group sentiments today. Nationalism can be a positive or negative force, providing avenues for either inclusion or exclusion of peoples. The unit focuses on the basic concepts of nationalism and identity by drawing upon historic…

The purpose of this study was twofold: first, to investigate new teachers' perceptions of needs for multicultural education in teacher preparation programs; and second, to better understand the meanings new teachers give to the term multiculturalism. Interviews conducted with nine practicing teachers, recent university graduates, focused on their…

This study was conducted to determine and examine the understandings and misunderstandings of members of student teaching triads composed of student teachers, cooperating teachers, and university supervisors. These understandings relate to what is perceived to be important in the student teaching experience, and who should be most responsible for…

Constructive controversy has many benefits in the classroom. The benefits of constructive controversy, however, depend on the way the teacher structures the controversy, the skill level of the students, and the materials and resources available. The controversy model involves eight steps: (1) introducing the controversy; (2) assigning groups and…

Those wishing to teach Chicano literature face many obstacles: administrative indifference or hostility, cutbacks in courses perceived as "academic luxuries," and pragmatism of students who see Chicano literature courses as too esoteric. Acceptance as an integral part of the regular curriculum is still at stake. Chicano literature exists…

One of the most difficult tasks business and professional communication teachers face is teaching students to appreciate cultural differences and their effects on business communication, both domestically and internationally. Students from a homogeneous background may dismiss or disparage cultural differences. Some classroom exercises can help…

Collaboration between university and public school educators is a strategy which has recently gained support as a part of the teacher education process and as a viable area in which to conduct research. This paper defines the concept of the culture of educational settings and asserts that school-university collaboration occurs in the intersection…

This study explored differential patterns of variables at 7 and 9 years of age that predict teacher evaluations of academic and social performance at 15 years of age. A total of 101 Icelandic school children were assessed on a variety of variables at ages 7, 9, 12, and 15. Only two variables significantly entered into the regression equation…

This paper describes four problems that may confront researchers interested in capturing and describing participant perspectives when the participants of interest are young children in early childhood education settings. Problems were identified with interview data collected in three studies conducted in separate preschool and kindergarten…

The reading list and assignments in this study guide are designed to involve high school students in examining the media from a nonwhite perspective. The beginning assignments require students to assemble their own bibliography relating to minority groups in the media, to examine the lives and contributions of specific Chicano, black, and American…

This paper discusses preschool teacher competencies and personality traits but makes no attempt to establish a picture of an ideal teacher. Five personal qualities necessary for success with young children--good physical and mental health, fondness and respect for children, a sympathetic understanding of their capacities and ways of growing, an…

Considers two aspects of knowing language, besides grammar and vocabulary, that are often understressed: 1) perspective taking (through rhythm and intonation) and 2) manipulation of language variation. This observation is discussed in relation to the contrast between incidental and intentional learning, and an argument is made for an intimate…

This study examined the development of empathy and role-taking skills in 194 Finnish students in Grades 6 and 9. Students wrote a story about a moral conflict in their school involving themselves or their friends. Story content and theme were analyzed and compared across age groups. Findings indicated that the themes of conflicts could be…