Eight volunteers reported their experiences with a self-access center, trying out new machines and materials and producing materials about a specific area of the center. Benefits of their involvement included improving the infrastructure, providing support to other users, and publicizing the available facilities. (Contains 18 references.) (Author)

A study of the effectiveness of self-instructional booklets and computer software for teaching dental students endodontic diagnosis found that the self-teaching method may be as effective as traditional lectures in teaching concepts central to development of clinical decision-making skills. Sampling difficulties created problems in assessment of…

Self-teaching booklets and computer media were evaluated for teaching diagnostic testing with first (n=49), second (n=41) and third year (n=71) dental students as a foundation for further development of clinical decision-making skills. Results found the media more effective than no instruction and equally effective to the traditional lecture…

In this study of students (N=112) invited to participate in a hematology-transfusion medicine tutorial, it was found that students (N=59) receiving problem-based instruction did more poorly than controls on short-term examination but maintained their knowledge after two years better than control groups. (MLW)

Whether informal subject-oriented prior-knowledge state assessment or information progress-assessment results in increased study pace or a positive effect on final test results was studied with over 9500 open education college students. Student characteristics related to differences in participation in information-assessment procedures were…

Describes the ninth-grade curriculum of the Downingtown Educational Enrichment Program (DEEP) that includes student design and implementation of independent-study contracts. The program serves identified gifted students through a year-long scheduled elective course option that meets every other day and offers one-half credit. (CR)

Discusses the main features of hypermedia and its significance in the application to education. Highlights include multimedia teaching materials; interaction; convenience in storing and using information; problem solving and critical thinking; individuality in study; and the design of nodes and links in hypermedia. (Author/LRW)

Describes a model for increasing the impact of peer tutoring beyond the specific subject matter tutored. Peer tutors were taught to also be study-skills coaches, sharing the secrets of learning and studying that allowed them to succeed. They tutored high-risk students during study halls. Evaluation indicated that the study-skills component…

Describes a two-week instructional unit for ninth-grade gifted students which emphasizes development of ethical thinking and decision-making skills using a structured group-discussion methodology. Students formulate discussion questions through a multi-step process. Unit guide sheets, brainstorming examples, and activity schedules are included.…

Reviews a commercial software package that was originally developed for English but can be adapted for use in Japanese. The approach here is the adaptation of a generic program to a specific instructional context, with the attendant benefits and limitations. (Author/JL)

Reports an investigation, using an interpretive research methodology, of preservice primary teachers' prior perceptions of design and technology and changes in their perceptions as a result of their engagement in independent technology projects. Discusses implications for the design of technology education courses for preservice and inservice…

Describes the changes in teaching methods in engineering classrooms over the last 60 years and implementations by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) in curriculum not only of mathematics, science, and engineering fundamentals, but also communication and lifelong learning skills. Lists ABET Engineering Criteria required…

Describes a study of undergraduates that was conducted to identify the differences between individual and collaborative reflection using a qualitative approach. The results of journals and tape-recorded group reflection activities showed that collaborative reflection leads to a higher level of thinking such as metacognitive thinking. (Author/LRW)

Examines why videos are a good staff development tool. Discusses 14 recent educational videos appropriate for staff development in individual, small-group, or large-group settings. Notes responses from primary teachers and from pre-service teachers about the videos reviewed. (SR)

Provides a select overview of hypertext and information retrieval tools that support traditional Jewish learning and discusses a project in instructional hypermedia that is applied to teaching, teacher training, and self-instruction in given Bible passages. Highlights include accretion of receptions, hermeneutics, literary appropriations, and…