Two common tendencies that lead many mainstream students to misinterpret other cultures are the combative response and the exoticizing response. These misinterpretations, however, can be excellent learning moments for helping students understand the constructed nature of culture and the contextual nature of learning. Transformational multicultural…

Two types of self-efficacy were investigated in this study: self-efficacy for course content and self-efficacy for online learning technologies. Specifically, the study examined how these two types of self-efficacy change throughout a semester. Secondly, it examined whether students' self-efficacy is predicative of their satisfaction and course…

Based on part of a line of research on children's prior knowledge and thinking (including misconceptions) about topics addressed in the traditional K-3 social studies curriculum, a study was designed to provide such information with respect to the topic of government. Individual interviews were conducted with K-3 students (n=96), stratified…

This report provides the results of a standardized survey of student opinions and satisfaction at Rogue Community College (RCC) (Oregon). In the spring of 2000, the Student Opinion Survey was conducted among students at both the Redwood Campus (RWC) in Grants Pass and the Riverside Campus (RVC) in Medford. Results include: (1) students at both…

The traditional K-3 social studies curriculum has focused on food, clothing, shelter, communication, transportation, and other cultural universals, but little information exists about children's prior knowledge and thinking (including misconceptions) about these topics. This study was designed to provide such information with respect to the topic…

Not only inspiring teachers to help students become environmentally literate, this book also provides the tools to make it happen in the literature classroom. Beginning with readings and exercises about perception, it explores a wealth of nature writing activities, the history of people's relationship with nature from mythological times to the…

Leslie Herrenkohl's work in science (1998) has demonstrated that introducing "problem-solving steps" and "audience roles" to an elementary classroom can have a dramatic impact on rates of student engagement as measured through classroom talk. It is not known to what extent the success of the intervention was due to its…

This paper discusses the use of computer-mediated communication (CMC) in college teaching, especially for the teacher who is new to teaching with CMC. In part, it offers a personal narrative of how the author developed use of CMC in his teaching. It discusses the nature of CMC as a medium of communication and introduces the teacher to many…

This report evaluates the Early Alert program at Cuesta College (California). The report is divided into four main sections: services accessed, accessibility, actions taken as a result of receiving an Early Alert letter, and timing and utility of the Early Alert program. These are followed by the demography of the respondents, a brief background…

This study examined the first-year postsecondary experiences of students through an action research project with small groups of students at three postsecondary institutions (one community college, one university college, and one university). The paper reviews the action research design method and highlights its utility in analyzing the effects of…

Discusses experience of conducting a project designed to interest and train women in physics, involving student recruitment, course design, laboratory work planning, and counseling services. Included are surveyed faculty and graduate student comments and participants' attitudes toward the project. (CC)

Discusses a two-semester noncalculus general physics course which emphasizes the teaching of physical knowledge in biology, biophysics, and medicine. Included are a table of major biophysical examples, an outline of lectures, and a list of references. (CC)

Empirical findings on effects of teacher preconceptions of pupils' abilities on student performance are complex and contradictory. Some of the contradictions can be resolved by considering variables intervening between an expectancy manipulation (induced in the teacher by information provided by the investigator) and the evaluation of the…

Discusses some aspects of the implementation of student projects in physical science teaching, involving timing, facilities, choice of projects, and student evaluation. Included are descriptions of five students' experience with project work. (CC)