Described is the development of the Self-Schedule System, which aims at optimizing instructional time by teaching students to manage their own time and tasks. Program components for training students and for providing structural and ecological supports for flexible usage of school resources are outlined and research findings discussed. (SJL)

A controlled trial of teaching clinical biochemistry by the Keller Plan at the University of Otago Medical School is described. The Keller Plan group performed significantly better than the control group on the final examination. (MLW)

A computer-assisted instruction (CAI) unit was designed to teach renal diet therapy. Utilizing this unit, differences in performance and attitudes between traditionally taught and CAI taught students (N=34), and differences in achievement between students in two nutrition fields were assessed. (DS)

Identifies five factors that appear to have contributed to the survival of several firmly established programs in the alternative school movement. (Author/WD)

If they are open to the experience, cooperating teachers can learn a great deal about different teaching methods from their student teachers and from the college supervisor working in their school. (SJL)

A number of individualized approaches to student learning are reviewed: Keller plan, refined linear model, variable route model, modular learning model, and independent study. Each successive approach offers students an increasingly wider degree of choice to determine goals and the means of achieving them. (Author/MLW)

Describes aspects of Guided Design, a recent instructional strategy designed to teach process skills, in which students engage in the decision-making process to devise solutions for a series of open-ended problems. (CS)

Suggests adapting teacher-written responses on children's compositions to their individual differences as an effective way to promote educational progress. Written comments can take the form of reaction to the child's ideas, encouragement, correction, or evaluation/instruction. (AEA)

Identifies the dominant metaphor in five orientations to research in small group communication. Argues that these orientations provide little pedagogical assistance in small group instruction. Proposes an alternative humanistic perspective for group instruction as a persuasive, individualized process in which ultimate control over learning resides…

A computer program named BUGGY is described. The program is designed to duplicate "traditional" student mathematical mistakes; pupils are to identify the nature of the errors the computer makes. (MP)

The author describes a dialogue with his three-year-old daughter about numbers. He discusses aspects of mathematics education and how his views about how students acquire mathematical knowledge have changed. (MP)

This research suggests that school districts can simultaneously comply with Title I and violate congressional intent for expanding and improving the regular program. Losses in instructional time accompanying Title I may explain its ineffectiveness. (CP)

This article describes a system of classroom management which is geared to the needs and abilities of individual pupils, primarily in mixed-ability classes. It involves the effective use of resource materials developed at a local center. (Author/SJL)

Describes the design and implementation of the Latin curriculum at the National Cathedral School for girls (Washington, D.C.) stressing its usefulness as a means for improving verbal skills and its relevance to subsequent foreign language learning. Also describes other methods devised to personalize instruction, and instructional materials…

Tailoring programs to fit children is different from designing programs that exclude them. The many skills exhibited in gifted behavior can be taught, learned, and acquired to some degree by all children. (CJ)