Uses Jean Lave and Etienne Wenger's (1991) notion of learning as participation to explore processes involved in student teachers' school-based learning. Concludes learning as participation may not adequately represent the complex relationship between the newcomer and the school community of practice nor the pain and conflict inherent in becoming a…

Describes how to introduce opera to students through the use of prompting strategies. Explains that these strategies encourage active participation by students and help to improve listening skills. Focuses on prompting strategies, such as matching characters to songs, identifying, and sequencing songs. (CMK)

Discusses seven issues affecting assessment: (1) selection of texts, (2) use of oral and written assignments, (3) characteristics of grades and evaluation, (4) opportunities for self-assessment, (5) retention of learning, (6) psychology of students, and (7) the development of new tests. Suggests ways that economics faculty can improve assessment…

Describes a bingo game that focuses on sociology of the body in which students answer questions with either a yes or no as opposed to the traditional way the game is played. Explains how to construct the game and addresses practical strategies to use after the game. (CMK)

As part of a reform effort utilizing project-based learning, A Washington high school offered an interdisciplinary course on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Students were involved in every phase of the course, and projects ranged from writing a textbook with third-grade partners to building a log building. The class canoed down the Columbia river…

Describes a mock trial focused on Jack Kevorkian and an euthanasia case that was included in a psychology and law course. Discusses the course format, provides the reactions to the mock trial by students and consultants, and includes suggestions for improving the mock trial. (CMK)

Presents a teacher's reflections about her dysfunctional classroom and ways she sought to improve it. Discusses involvement of students in building a community of learners through project activities. Emphasizes the need for students to understand the purpose of work undertaken, ways to share it with an audience, and working in a collaborative…

Certain cultural norms (high professional standards, collegiality, and questioning/experimenting attitudes) are common to self-renewing schools. To avoid the pitfalls of contrived collegiality, schools should adopt core or shared values, a common view of professional behavior, and a focus on the client. Two exemplary elementary schools in the…

Active learning in secondary physical education can facilitate the learning of class content and equip students with tools to learn independently. The article presents active learning strategies for physical education (clarification pauses, shared paragraph writing, application notes, study lecture, guided lecture, cooperative learning, and fish…

Focuses on identifying the educational effects of "activity oriented" instructional techniques. Examines which instructional methods produce enhanced learning and comprehension. Discusses the problem of learning "sorting algorithms," a major topic in every Computer Science curriculum. Presents a low-tech, hands-on teaching method for sorting…

Discusses use of field trips to enhance early childhood education. Suggests that children gain from group trips when the trip site is of interest to them, the children are prepared for the journey, and they can apply their experience upon return. Successful trips allow children to actively seek and find information, and to discern relationships…

Describes instructional strategies used in project-based introductory instructional design courses taught at Purdue and Florida State Universities. Discusses use of reflective summaries instead of quizzes, in-class demonstration of sample student projects, project-based application assignments, "mastery approach" (students revise and…

Two Nebraska teachers of grades 1 and 5 describe how their classes' joint Christmas project developed into an entrepreneurial experience. To raise money for toys for needy children, students applied for a bank loan, assembled bead kits for sale, and established costs and prices. The teachers took advantage of each new idea, turning "road blocks"…

Presents a catalog of active-learning techniques aimed at fostering student learning in the context of a lecture course. Activities range from listening practices to short writing exercises to complex group exercises. Barriers to implementing active learning, and some solutions, are explored and personal experience with the techniques are…

Describes an activity for primary students on bees. Demonstrates life in a beehive using students playing bees. Reports the effects of this activity on student learning. (YDS)