Focuses on the use of student publications in journals as a teaching tool. Explores the use of this technique in three contexts: (1) enabling students to understand experimental methodology; (2) teaching students about statistics; and (3) helping students learn more about the American Psychological Association (APA) writing style. (CMK)

Cites advantages of using computers and the World Wide Web in classroom simulations. Provides a sample simulation that teaches the basic economic principles of trade, investment, and public goods in the context of U.S. economic history. (JEH)

Describes an exercise named CARDS that was used in two sections of an introduction to psychology course. After a concept was presented in lecture, students were asked to respond to a question written on an index card and discuss their answers in groups. Presents the results of the assessment of student learning. (CMK)

The ideal classroom climate promotes deep understanding, excitement about learning, and social and intellectual growth. Students are active decision makers, teachers work with students, and learners' interests and questions drive much of the curriculum. This brief article provides guidelines and a checklist to help administrators, parents, and…

Describes a non-laboratory science course for nonscience majors that actively engages students in a variety of learning activities. Highlights students' positive evaluations of the course. Also describes active learning experiences incorporated into the course. (JRH)

Discusses how to incorporate conflict resolution into history focusing on the Conflict Resolution in History project. Provides a case study depicting how to use conflict resolution by presenting a lesson plan exploring the 1846 War between the United States and Mexico. (CMK)

Discusses the need for course assessment that includes the instructor's perception, the student's perception, and the student's performance and describes the roles that Web-based tools can play in the active learning process and in interactive assessment based on experiences with a multimedia production course. (LRW)

A Montana teacher in a very small high school describes how SIMMS Integrated Mathematics has helped students to develop better problem-solving skills and better oral and written communication skills, has contributed to increased student enrollment in a fourth year of high school mathematics, and has taught students to use technology tools in…

Presents a simulation game given in a freshman-level international relations course on the Indian and Pakistani dispute over Kashmir (India). Explains that the simulation covers three or four class periods where the students take the role of international policymakers and resolve a mock acute crisis in the Kashmir region. (CMK)

Provides background information on simulations and active learning. Discusses the use of simulations in political science courses. Describes a simulation exercise where students performed specific institutional role playing, simulating the workings of a single congressional issue network, based on the reauthorization of the Endangered Species Act.…

Questions the findings from the civics portion of the 1998 National Assessment for Educational Progress (NAEP). Instead of advocating a back-to-basics approach, believes that citizenship should be taught in ways that promote explorations of the social, political, and economic conditions in which the students live. (DAJ)

Presents a perspective on behaviorism in schools and teacher education, then focuses on the beliefs and effectiveness of constructivism. Discusses information literacy and transferable library skills as the results of individual, active learning and curriculum-integrated library instruction. Provides resources to further explore constructivism and…

Presents 13 active-learning activities designed for use in consumer behavior courses. The exercises involve students in brief activities, such as analysis of persuasion techniques in advertising, and follow-up discussion. Reports that students found the exercises enjoyable and worthwhile. (CFR)

Illustrates developmentally appropriate physics activities for young children. Addresses ways that teachers can use the environment to teach physics and answers the questions: What is the value of physics for young children? What are criteria for developmentally appropriate physics activities? How does one integrate physics into a project or unit…

A classroom exercise to help college students of economics conceptualize, create, and learn from graphs is described. The technique is illustrated with an exercise concerning the concept of supply and demand in consumer markets. Classroom time required for the activity is small, and students become adept at manipulating models without anxiety.…