Emphasizes that learning is influenced by the student's active response to instruction. Teachers are advised to remain aware of student responses by initiating work contracts with students and are encouraged to help students learn to respond appropriately to instruction by arranging the classroom environment so that attention and motivation are…

Described is an experiment to test the effectiveness of alternative methods of teaching Evidence to students at Brigham Young University's law school. The methods tested were the traditional casebook approach, the problem approach, and a programed format. Examples of instructional materials and a transcript excerpt are appended. (JMD)

Recounts a criminology class exercise that consisted of staging a mock trial using the murders from Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood" as source material. Students research the case and role play various lawyers, jury members, and witnesses. Identifies and discusses four educational objectives attainable through the staging of mock trials. (MJP)

Describes the course content and structure of a one-credit, elective senior seminar designed to inform a college psychology department about the effectiveness of their instruction. Assessment measures included a faculty-generated multiple choice test, a student-generated multiple choice test, student surveys, focus groups, and a student essay on…

Observations and interviews of community college students taking a class via interactive video revealed six primary themes of students' concerns and perceptions. Results indicate that further exploration is needed in classroom climate, apprehension, interaction, feedback, and learning styles. (AEF)

Outlines the nature of electronic performance support and ways it can be used to enhance conventional lecturing. Describes the generic processes and related tools involved in creating and using electronic lectures. Concludes with a short case study of a prototype system recently created to investigate staff and student attitudes toward this…

Examines the steps taken to involve students and faculty in establishing a program of supplemental instruction at Border Technikon (South Africa), highlighting the ways student involvement has been maintained. Topics include training, funding considerations, effectiveness, student responses, and student achievement results. (LRW)

Describes the efforts of a teacher in a British class for limited English speakers to learn the home language of her language-minority students and the students' reactions to her approach. Attempts to use the children's language provide a context for discussions of language differences and English structure. (SLD)

Evaluates software developed for advanced learners of a second language. The software uses the target language (German) exclusively, brings together language and literature teaching, and includes a large variety of written exercises with scored feedback. Findings reveal that students are enthusiastic about using this multimedia program and…

Examines the extent to which foreign language use should play a prominent part in a course. The article discusses subject knowledge; factors affecting students' language skills; course objectives, structure and content; student reaction to questions about tutor input and the topics appropriate for teaching in the foreign language; and perceived…

Examines teacher-student exchanges in three content-based language classrooms. Data reveal persistent archetypal patterns of classroom interaction; teachers speak most of the time, and they initiate the majority of the exchanges by asking display questions, whereas student-initiated requests are referential. (30 references) (Author/CK)

Examines the acquisition of academic writing skills by adult students studying by distance learning in the United Kingdom. Results indicate that the text-based nature of distance leaning affects both the way in which students acquire writing skills and the development of their identity as academic writers. Differences in the learning process were…

Focuses on the use of word processers during revision in an English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) writing context. The study attempts to identify the magnitude of the effects of ESL writing expertise, text importance for students and computer familiarity upon the types of revision. (24 references) (Author/CK)

Using questionnaires and the Relationship Dimension Subscales of the Classroom Environment Scale, compares attitudes of 1,174 junior high and senior high school girls and boys about social studies and social studies teachers. Finds that girls enjoy social studies more than boys when they have female teachers. Posits reasons for this finding and…

Students can develop self-directed behavior when behavior management strategies are structured to provide opportunities to learn responsible behavior, make choices, and develop internal control. Student behavior is viewed as a response to psychological needs for love and belonging, power, freedom, and fun. Components of a reality therapy session…