Argues that there is a need to rethink the teaching of classical sociological theories. Focuses on the reasons the authors rethought their course with a special emphasis on their critique of Eurocentrism. Discusses the course and the responses of students to the new version of the course. Includes references. (CMK)

Explores the concept that an understanding of positioning within discursive practices can lead to an understanding of the social construction of self and difference. Presents a study that explored responses from two Year 11 (age 16) visual arts classes in two high schools within New South Wales, Australia. Includes references. (CMK)

Presents a study that focuses on atypical patterns of contextualized learning engagement that are often difficult to interpret because they exhibit varying degrees of conceptual dissonance. Addresses how the question of how dissonance can be interpreted and modeled. Provides an example of an observed interference model of student learning. (CMK)

Proposes that e-mail peer response teaches students about audience and text. Explains that asynchronous electronic peer response helps students become better responders by: promoting a written exchange; using writing to express their thoughts, and giving them time and distance to think about their reactions. Proposes that this creates an…

Sustained and selective attention among 30 fourth- through sixth-graders with learning disabilities (LD) and 20 controls was compared. Results indicated that LD students are less able to narrow their attention and also have slower information-processing skills, despite similar ability between groups for sustaining attention and inhibiting…

The study found that the extent of teacher control over conversations with deaf pupils using oral/aural only, signed English, or cued speech communication affected pupil response, including taking initiative in conversations, misunderstanding of the teacher, and length of conversational contributions. Different methods of communication by the 13…

Argues that Christa Wolf's novel "Patterns of Childhood" provides opportunities for students to consider the adolescent dilemmas of the protagonist Nelly and to reflect on how they themselves are coming to terms with the world. Notes that the novel forces students to see Nazi Germany with new eyes. (RS)

Examines effects of academic year division on junior high school student satisfaction. Reports no relationship between semester organization and student satisfaction or achievement, although students report dissatisfaction with the length of certain classes. Advanced English students were more satisfied with semester courses than general English…

Investigated are three misconceptions of probability and the differential effect of two activity-based instructional units. Response categories (law of averages, law of small numbers, and availability) are identified. Treatment differences (evaluation or no evaluation) appear to influence subjects' interpretations of the information. (YP)

Teacher intervention is often necessary to prevent independent study assignments from becoming lonely and threatening to gifted students. Active listening techniques can help teachers interpret comments that students make to gain peer acceptance or to mask their fear of failure. Students also need help planning, scheduling, and setting realistic…

Elementary-school learning-disabled, emotionally disabled, educable mentally retarded, and nonhandicapped students (N=122) were observed during written language instruction, to document writing tasks and student responding. Extreme variability was found in the amount of time individual students spent in writing activities or in receiving written…

The article presents examples of emotionally disturbed children's reactions to separation from a teacher with whom they have become involved. Suggestions are offered for facilitating healthy separation from the teacher. (JDD)

Issues that face learning-disabled students and their parents during the transition from a secondary to a postsecondary setting are explored, and recommendations are offered for consideration in resolving problems during this period. (JDD)

The relative effectiveness of three procedures for increasing vocal response to prompt in 15 preschool children with Down Syndrome was compared. Light-dimming and visual screening, when combined with positive reinforcement, were both found to be significantly more effective than positive reinforcement alone. (Author/JDD)

Discusses a teacher's difficulties in using reader response approaches to engage her students at an urban alternative high school. Examines their resistances to discussion and personal response. Offers a few approaches the teacher has been trying, with some success, to overcome these resistances. (TB)