Mathematics is an "artificial" deliberately constructed language, supported crucially by: (1) special alpha-numeric characters and usages; (2) extra-special non-alphanumeric symbols; (3) special written formats within a single line, such as superscripts and subscripts; (4) grouping along a line, including bracketing using round brackets,…

The importance of mathematical discourse and its connection to developing conceptual understanding, communication, and reasoning is well documented throughout the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM's) "Principles and Standards for School Mathematics" (2000). This article highlights the differences between two kinds of discussions:…

Children are incredibly interested in the idea of flying and the lesson presented in this article is based on that interest. In this article, the author discusses the creation of a digital presentation that could give an overview of the different types of air travel. Motivational questions teachers can use in their classroom discussions are also…

"Our culture underestimates teachers--not only the complexity of their work, but also their potential to contribute substantively to the dialogue about school reform," write the authors of this article. Online teacher networks have the potential to transform traditional concepts of teacher leadership, enabling teachers to bond together into…

Students have frequently expressed curiosity about the way past events involving the United States were viewed by other nations. For instance, students have often wondered how World War II is presented to students in Germany, or what students in Japan learn about the dropping of the atomic bombs. To help his students look at events from a global…

This paper describes how a group of five older adults with Down's syndrome decided what they wanted from their doctor. The group worked out what they meant by health. The group also looked at what it was OK for a doctor to ask or do. They made lists of these. The group decided that being healthy means being able to do things. Feelings, of being…

Intended as a resource for student seminars, this guide describes the seminar process and provides suggestions for making seminars more productive. First, the learning objectives of the seminar process are listed, indicating that students should gain the following skills: group interaction, integrative discussion, critical evaluation, and…

In 1979, Delta College, in Michigan, established a bioethics requirement for all nursing students. This paper describes a project to teach one of the required ethics course to local hospitals to observe students while they work and discuss ethical dilemmas as they arose. Introductory sections discuss project rationale and procedures, indicating…

CNN Newsroom is a daily 15-minute commercial-free news program specifically produced for classroom use and provided free to participating schools. The daily CNN Newsroom broadcast is supported by a Daily Classroom Guide, written by professional educators. These classroom guides are designed to accompany CNN Newsroom broadcasts for a given month,…

One of a series of performance-based teacher education learning packages focusing upon specific professional competencies of vocational teachers, this learning module deals with conducting group discussions, panel discussions, and symposia. It consists of an introduction and five learning experiences. Covered in the first module are techniques and…

THE SCHOOL WAS CONFRONTED WITH THE NECESSITY OF TEACHING ABOUT PREJUDICE AND DISCRIMINATION AS FACTS OF LIFE, AS CONDITIONS WHICH PREVENT THE FULL DEVELOPMENT OF EVERY PERSON, AS PROBLEMS THAT SHOULD BE SOLVED, IF DEMOCRACY WAS TO FUNCTION. ONE OF THE APPROACHES TO A UNIT THAT STUDIED PREJUDICE AND DISCRIMINATION CONSISTED OF THE DISCUSSION OF A…

Student talk about mathematics will improve understanding. Ways that teachers can facilitate more student talk in their classrooms are presented. (PK)

One of the important characteristics of Web-based courses is that they utilize different Internet tools to close the gap between the instructor and the learner. Although many different Internet tools (including course Web sites, e-mail, electronic mailing lists, threaded discussion group, chat, instant messaging, audio conferencing, and video…

This paper discusses the processes and outcomes of translating a traditionally-taught business writing course into the online format, using bulletin board software. The paper covers creating, teaching, and managing the online business writing course at Golden Gate University (San Francisco, California). Pedagogical objectives are to emulate group…

This book offers philosophical and pedagogical background to help faculty and academic administrators integrate ethics into curricula. The volume suggests the most appropriate way is through instructor-guided discussion of ethical issues relevant to course objectives. The book demonstrates how providing ethical discussions of relevant ethical…