Describes the institution of portfolio use with a diverse group of eighth grade mathematics students representing a spectrum of ability levels. Presents data on student reaction to portfolio use, integrating portfolios into a math classroom, helping students understand their use and structure, and the lessons learned by the teachers. (SD)

Examines whether the use of progressive writing for a psychology paper assignment affects students' writing and motivation when used to discuss course material illustrated in popular movies. Reveals that the students felt their writing improved and 44% of the students earned 90% of the overall points; student motivation was lower than expected.…

Finds that interactive television instructors' perceptions of students' nonverbal responses are positively related to their impressions of students, their perceptions of teaching effectiveness and satisfaction, perceptions of teacher-student interpersonal relationships, and preference for teaching in the interactive television classroom; these…

Discusses the personal science journal as an educational tool able to provide teachers with a means of assessment, and students with an opportunity to synthesize the awareness of being ecologically conscious with knowledge of the environment. (WRM)

Examines children's verbal responses to music listening by interviewing 33 children in kindergarten through fifth-grade. Explains that three judges categorized their responses. Indicates judge consensus over the form and content of responses; age tendencies resulted in 3 questions; similarities between development of verbal responses to music and…

This study investigated student academic responding time as a function of time of day for 122 students (grades 2-4) with and without disabilities in 10 urban and suburban schools. Student academic responding time was higher when an academic activity was occurring, an active task was underway, and an individual rather than a group structure was…

Discusses pedagogical strategies that encourage keener and more sensitive student reactions to the postcolonial problematics represented in two essays by Jamaican writer Michelle Cliff, essays which often provoke hostility in mainstream, White, middle-class undergraduates. Discusses ways to create a context in the literature or writing classroom…

Examines the degree to which computer and test anxiety have a predictive role in performance across three computer-administered placement tests. Subjects (72 undergraduate students) were measured with the Computer Anxiety Rating Scale, the Test Anxiety Inventory, and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Results suggest that much of what is considered…

Describes a classroom demonstration of the illusory correlation effect (people often subjectively overestimate how often two distinctive events occur together) that replicates a classic experiment on illusory correlation. Explains that the demonstration illustrates the role that basic cognitive processes play in developing social stereotypes. (CMK)

Describes a role-playing exercise in which students take on one of three roles, either the prejudiced speaker, responder, or social observer, in order to explore a prejudiced comment in a mock interaction. Considers different topics for the postexercise class discussion and student reactions to the exercise. (CMK)

Introduces school counselors to the idea of addressing adolescent conflict situations through use of a standardized Taylor-Johnson Temperament Analysis (T-JTA) instrument. Concludes that the T-JTA can be an effective tool in helping adolescents begin to consider the impact their conflict resolution style has on others and on the escalation or…

Background noise from loud ventilation systems, outdoor activities, and poor acoustics can lead to voice problems for teachers, worsen hearing-impaired students' listening ability, and create unhealthy learning environments. Solutions include providing teachers with a sound-field amplification system and improving classroom acoustics. (MLH)

Based on a communications course at John Carroll University (Ohio) that was developed to include communication on the Internet, this article describes areas to consider when planning Internet integration. Discussion includes campus computer services, computer labs and Internet programs, teaching strategies, and student reactions to Internet…

Effects of self-adapted testing (SAT), in which examinees choose the difficulty of items themselves, on ability estimates, precision, and efficiency, mechanisms of SAT effects, and examinee reactions to SAT are reviewed. SAT, which is less efficient than computer-adapted testing, is more efficient than fixed-item testing. (SLD)

Describes a study of college developmental students' perceptions of their high school coursework, teachers, and own personal characteristics. Suggests that students regarded their schools and teachers positively, but that they tended to blame external factors such as task difficulty and teaching quality for their limited successes. (20 citations)…