Describes a project in which students at a school in Ghana develop an authentic but fictitious character who is captured and sold to the Europeans on the coast. Notes the stories are mailed to partner schools in the United States who write about what happens to these characters after becoming slaves. Notes students' intense interest and…

Provides guidelines for implementing portfolios in the social studies classroom that focus on the Vietnam era and incorporate Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences. Outlines the portfolio project, lists eleven portfolio components, and addresses the intelligence of each. (CMK)

Discusses the importance of collaboration between teachers and parents to help support students and describes teacher-created Web pages that help simplify communication and planning. Explains Web page design that can include general class descriptions, unit outlines and timetables, unit and project information, and student progress reports. (LRW)

Describes an exercise designed to encourage active learning in which groups of students compared and contrasted the content of historical introductory psychology texts with contemporary ones. Reports that student evaluations suggest the exercise helps students understand the history and development of psychology. (CMK)

Let's Get Real, a competitive program in its 5th year, challenges teams of secondary students (in public, private, and home schools) to solve actual problems posed by corporate co- sponsors. Proposed solutions are presented at corporate headquarters and judged by corporate executives, scientists, and engineers. (MLH)

Details a garden project as an example of how Reggio Emilia-inspired, long-term projects can enhance young children's representational thinking. Includes samples of children's conversations and drawings. Discusses the teacher's role in locating information and documenting the progress. Notes that well-planned, continual, active, concrete…

Describes a global issues project in which students modeled the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Discusses project aspects while focusing on the use of the Alta Vista Forum for web-based threaded discussion. (CMK)

Describes historical precedents and current trends in the incorporation of gardening into the school curriculum in South Carolina and California. In these outdoor classrooms, children plan and implement specific projects related to nutrition, environmental awareness, and community beautification, as well as an appreciation for nature. (SAS)

An English instructor notes that educators must re-examine their methodology and allow for students to be engaged as full partners in the learning process. She provides examples of activities and projects from a course about the intersection of language and culture and suggests that self-directed learning will equip students for college level…

Describes how the physical environment of the library at Saint Mary's University (Halifax) was developed into a more welcoming and inviting space. Highlights include the use of student marketing projects to examine perceptions of the library, including student surveys; raising its profile within the university community; and enhanced services.…

Presents an oral history project for high school students who are asked to select a non-related person to interview about a period or event in U.S. history, write a biography, and give a final public presentation on the interview. Includes a copy of the rubric in the appendix. (CMK)

Outlines and discusses the design and evaluation of a University of Southern Queensland (Australia) graduate study program in open- and distance learning, accessible exclusively via the Internet. Highlights instruction versus facilitation, learning environment, computer-mediated communication, student projects, and practice-based reflection in a…

Discussion of student assessment focuses on issues related to distance education. Topics include purposes of assessment; performance-based assessment; constructivist approaches; examples of alternative assessments, including portfolios, projects, and problem-based learning activities; implementation; and distance education as a catalyst for…

A student-initiated nature center project began six years ago when the original participants were in fifth grade. The students did the research, planning, construction, grant writing, and accounting and tied it all to Colorado state standards. Student engagement and self-confidence grew from a sense of responsibility and from knowing that the…

Describes a project for a history survey course where students visit a historic site and write an essay that identifies a broad theme in history relating the site to the theme; the students must also reflect upon their own learning process. Discusses the merits of the project providing student responses. Gives an appendix. (CMK)