This document is comprised of weekly newsletters, compiled by month, for family child care providers for the year 2003. Each theme-based four-page newsletter contains: (1) creative activities for use with mixed-age groups of 2- to 5-year-olds; (2) ideas on guiding behavior, organization tips, and Monthly Planning Calendar; (3) special sections for…

This paper discusses customer services in academic libraries. The first section addresses the concept of the "customer." Thereafter, the paper applies the metaphor of the producer and its consumers to the relationship between a university and its students. The second section looks at education as a process of refinement. Next, the…

Problem-based learning (PBL) has great potential for inspiring K-12 learning. KaAMS (Kids as Airborne Mission Scientists), an example of PBL, was designed to help teachers inspire middle school students to learning science, math, technology, and geography. The children participate as scientists investigating environmental problems using NASA…

This serial issue contains nine articles all on the subject of "changing practice," i.e., innovative practices of rural English teachers in the Bread Loaf Rural Teacher Network. "Byte-ing into Medieval Literature" (John Fyler) describes an online conference on medieval literature for rural high school students. "Literacy…

In one school of thought, self-directed learning (SDL) is based in the autonomous, independent individual who chooses to undertake learning for personal growth. However, another school of thought stresses the social construction of knowledge and the social context of learning. Some writers challenge the exclusive emphasis on the autonomous self…

Two graduate-level educational administration courses, one delivered by computer-mediated (distributed) means and one held face-to-face, were evaluated based upon the needs of adult learners and active learning precepts. The same course was delivered to both classes by the same group of professors, using identical course requirements. The…

This paper addresses a range of issues that teachers must consider when designing and developing a World Wide Web-enhanced course. It offers a guiding philosophy for Web-enhanced course design, presents a discussion of improved instruction and course management, outlines design issues that are involved for a course Web environment, and proposes…

Ways in which violating traditional expectations about teaching helps change, shape, and focus student ability to extract meaning from works of art are discussed. Alternative teaching modes include use of inquiry methods rather than lectures, in-class reading of the artwork as text instead of assigned readings about the artwork, and group…

Examines three learning models and proposes matching the most popular technologies to the best classroom practices. Paradigm One plots the most effective information technologies (ITs) for proponents of active learning and teachers with independent student thinkers; Paradigm Two reveals productive uses of ITs for teacher-centered and…

Presents ways to stimulate teachers to try several techniques for having students write their own problems and verify their meanings with others to become effective mathematics problem solvers. These techniques include sharing self-generated problems in a Mathematician's Circle and publishing problems on worksheets. (PVD)

Introduces an instructional approach referred to as collaborative project-based learning and describes a new Web-based technology, "ALiVE" designed to support this instructional approach. Discusses information resources management; scaffolding with templates; communication; collaboration; coordination; and technological overhead.…

Explores constructivist teaching assumptions of early childhood teacher preparation programs: (1) active adult learning is valued; (2) educational reform begins in university classrooms; (3) translating best practices and research into teaching contributes to classrooms and student teacher supervision; (4) maintaining links to K-12 education…

Describes a preservice teacher education course dealing with rural education, based on contemporary learning theories and delivered through telematics at an Australian university. Students learned about teaching and learning with telematics through being taught with telematics and through independent learning activities. Outcomes and findings…

Philosopher educator describes how she presents multiple perspectives in her teaching to create learning situations that instill a sense of wonder and curiosity. She is encouraged by increased recognition of the relationships among learning, social action, and social justice, and the recognition of the consciousness of different children.…

Describes the inclusion of critical thinking and information retrieval in an undergraduate business program utilizing active learning techniques. Presents a model assignment, outlines a library workshop, offers an evaluation of the project, and discusses librarian-faculty collaboration in creating an appropriate assignment. (Author/LRW)