Discusses language learning histories as educational aids promoting authentic and meaningful communication in the English-as-a-Second-Language classroom. This process involves the teacher and students sharing their own language learning history with the group, either orally or in writing, and including even the embarrassing moments. (12…

Presents various strategies for effective classroom teaching, including giving appropriate questions to adult students of English as a Second Language; discussing the physical attributes of the US flag and of the flags of students' native countries; using the characteristics of fruits to teach students to present characteristics in an organized…

Analyzes English-as-a-Second-Language students' code-switching in a Turkish school. The article shows that no empirical evidence exists supporting the notion that restricting mother tongue use would improve learning efficiency and that most classroom code-switching is intentional. (seven references) (Author/CK)

Explains the use of student reflections as a way of promoting instructional scaffolding. Concludes that scaffolding helps students develop skills through a structured practice of those skills within a specific subject matter, electricity. (SOE)

Introduces three papers that discuss the design methodology for developing learning systems for cognitive skills acquisition. Provides specific examples of processes that underlie the acquisition of cognitive skills. Confirms that through the embrace of lifelong learning, cognitive skills-based learning environments are finding a more prominent…

Discusses the rapid growth of digital games, describes research at MIT that is exploring the potential of digital games for supporting learning, and offers hypotheses about the design of next-generation educational video and computer games. Highlights include simulations and games; and design principles, including context and using information to…

This article provides a foundation for using theatre as a learning strategy in the content areas for students with learning disabilities, with metacognition as an important factor. Research is described supporting using theatre-based learning as a way to strengthen perceptual skills and improve retention. A social studies example is provided.…

Addresses the issue of quality within inquiry which uses narrative forms of representing human experience. Focuses on environmental education research. (Contains 101 references.) (DDR)

Describes an introductory chemistry course that incorporates student-oriented approaches such as inquiry and problem-based laboratories. Provides an overview of the modules. (Contains 16 references.) (DDR)

Examines a lesson in which students are engaged in inquiry in evolutionary biology to develop better understanding of concepts and reasoning skills necessary to support knowledge claims about changes in the genetic structure of populations known as microevolution. Explains how a software simulation, EVOLVE, can be used to foster discussions about…

Describes the types of problems young children generated in problem-posing situations as they worked, on a one-to-one basis, with a student teacher. Indicates that problem-posing actions of students can be nurtured by teachers' actions. (Author/KHR)

Asserts that while economic development increasingly demands greater technological sophistication, community colleges are faced with growing numbers of developmentally challenged students. Suggests that learning communities may effectively resolve this paradox. Focuses on one small community college in Louisiana, where a learning community is in…

Describes 38 Internet resources focusing on current events and 1996 election news, listing Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) and special features for each. Other highlights include technological requirements for RealAudio and VDOLive, a campaign simulation game, and suggestions for incorporating all these resources into instruction. (LAM)

A British project found that appropriate training in map skills enabled children and adults with mild mental retardation to complete a white color-coded orienteering course with minimal assistance but that persons with moderate mental retardation required more assistance and instruction time to complete course objectives. Describes approaches to…

Analyzes data from oral interviews with child learners of Japanese as a second language. Findings indicate that: tasks sensitive to students' understanding of critical syntactic structures and manageable for their cognitive level were effective; high-level students tried to produce more Japanese with more complexity; and phrase particle use was…