Describes plans for a symposium to be held by the Certification Commission of the Journalism Education Association (JEA) on JEA Certification and Master Teacher status. (MS)

The hypothesis explored is that autonomy in education and language learning is more significant than the ability to make responsible choices, relating more to exploration of the self-concept and to the realization of personal and group potential. Experiential learning is discussed in this context. (25 references) (Author/LB)

Students talented in science were offered an opportunity to use community research facilities and to conduct scientific research in an independent study course at Avon Grove High School in Kemblesville, Pennsylvania. The course involved peer collaboration, cooperative learning, the teacher as mentor, research papers, and oral presentations. (JDD)

This paper discusses ways in which mechanisms for promoting learner autonomy have been incorporated into one English language program. It also discusses the crucial role played by teacher/learner dialogue about learning in the classroom, and considers the implications for materials, task design, and time management. (eight references) (JL)

Profiles Archer Poor, a self-taught amateur archaeologist and camp manager in rural Maine. Describes his archeological work on Indian artifacts and its significance to professional scientists. Describes his discovery-learning approach to raising children. Emphasizes importance of patience, persistence, parent influence, and library research in…

Presented are 15 ideas for projects which require gifted elementary or middle school students to study a topic in depth. Ideas are in an easy-to-use "reproduce, cut, and distribute" format. Ideas are intended to foster individual creativity and production and cover such topics as plantations, insects, stars, telephones, bridges, and space. (DB)

Although Fort Pitt Elementary School used to be the lowest achieving school in the Pittsburgh area, reading scores and discipline are dramatically improving, thanks to the Independent Research Project for fourth- and fifth-grade students. (MLH)

The article describes a senior elective in virology developed at the University of South Dakota School of Medicine. Students work independently through a series of course units, selecting 12 study topics from a catalog of 35 topics in medical virology and discussing their reading daily with the professor. (DB)

Describes a computer-assisted simulation that was used to improve foreign language learning among engineering and teaching students. The use of telecommunications is discussed; the foreign policy orientation of the simulation is described; and the positive effects of the simulation on student motivation, independent learning, and cooperation are…

Reviews the NOTIS "Acquisition Self-Paced Study Guide," designed to teach the inexperienced user the basic features of the NOTIS acquisition module, with references to the "NOTIS Acquisition User Guide" for those who need further study. Contents of the self-paced guide are listed. (EA)

The impacts of independent study and the lecture approach on student test scores and study time were compared for 205 medical students studying surgery. Learning objective, multiple-choice, and essay questions were developed for selected topics related to surgery. Findings support increased individual active learning strategies and decreased…

Teaching an eight-year-old girl with learning difficulties a more advanced addition strategy through multicomponent self-regulation training and a self-instructional model resulted in more rapid problem solving, fewer learning errors, and the acquisition of even more advanced addition strategies. (SLD)

This survey considers recent publications relating to autonomy in language learning. Publications are grouped in three categories: collections of articles about autonomy in language learning and research studies in the field; books intended as practical guides; collections of materials or tasks intended to inspire practitioners of autonomy in…

This article discusses ways that sophistication can be incorporated into the curriculum to address the needs of gifted learners. Educators are urged to use questions, integrated curriculum, problem-based learning, independent and self-directed study projects, and mentor experiences to facilitate the exploration of ideas beyond the scope of the…

Describes a study of undergraduates that examined the effects of the levels of learner self-direction on the interaction and satisfaction in Web-based discussion groups. Results of statistical analyses indicated that learner self-direction does have an effect on activities in online discussion. (Author/LRW)