Focuses on problems encountered in an English language teaching program by examining the use of journals. Although the usefulness of the journal as a learning tool and a vehicle for self-reflection may be overestimated, the problems associated with journal writing are not insurmountable. Research on administrative tasks and the journal genre…

Focuses on an approach to teaching vocabulary in English-as-a-Second-Language classes. Students were encouraged to guess the meaning of unfamiliar words by using their eyes and minds to look inside the text. This analyzing of the reading material forces the reader to think more deeply about the text. Thought processes of the students are…

Presents a case study of the development of a multicultural-education class in Minnesota that was designed to help preservice teachers make their future classrooms multicultural. It briefly highlights the development of a college and school collaborative, presents student reactions to the program, and reveals follow-up activities to expand the…

The use of overt answer construction in computer-based programmed instruction was studied. Four college students completed an instructional program that alternated between presenting frames with blanks requiring overt responses and complete frames without blanks. All students produced more correct answers corresponding to program segments that…

Finds that the strongest predictor of motivation was the literacy task: during open tasks, children used more reading strategies, persisted longer, and controlled their attention better regardless of instructional condition (whole language or basal). Suggests that researchers examine how students actually interact with literacy contexts. (RS)

Argues that traditional classroom education methods do not fit the museum setting, and in support describes a Montreal study examining psychological reactions of adults observing museum exhibits. Suggests that researchers rethink basic principles for the use of museums in adult basic education. (84 citations) (MAB)

Reports findings from the second year of a three-year study following four children from a prekindergarten Head Start program through first grade. Investigates the impact of kindergarten instruction on the development of literacy. Suggests that children may define writing and reading as their teachers' instructional practices dictate. (SR)

Considers the role that students' approaches to learning play in summarizing text and learning from summarization. Discusses studies of two forms of summarization, one with the text available and one with the text removed after reading but before summarization. Reports that text-absent summarization facilitates deeper processing for students who…

College students were surveyed to determine whether they comprehended, identified with, and were motivated by poster messages regarding safer sex, alcohol use, and stress management. Results are presented for males and females, response differences between men and women are discussed. Suggestions for improving effectiveness and eliminating design…

Details the experiences of one teacher researcher who observed an 11th-grade English class over the course of a year. Describes the changes initiated by the teacher, along with their mixed results. Analyzes the student response to such innovations as writing workshops and shared interpretations of texts. (HB)

Argues that providing students with a repertoire of important learning strategies is one crucial way of helping all students to become independent readers, thinkers, and learners. Describes a third grade reading environment and the practices of the Students Achievement Independent Learning Program (SAIL). (PRA)

A modified time sampling procedure that measured behavioral rate and duration was used to record stereotypic and on-task responding in 11 students (ages 11-17) with severe emotional and behavioral disturbances. For both types of behavior, response duration exhibited less variability than response rate, and noncorrespondence between the two…

Examined results of pretests and posttests given to undergraduates enrolled in a music appreciation course to analyze the changes in their musical attitudes, opinions, and knowledge. Found that students exhibited a significant gain in knowledge about musical works; however, there was no significant difference in their opinions of these same works.…

Offers ideas for asking good questions in the classroom. Recommends that key questions be written down prior to class. Questions should clearly cue students to respond specifically and briefly. Presents examples of types of questions that have been found either to encourage or to inhibit thinking. (JS)

Reactions of Spanish and Italian teenagers to test items on English language ability placement tests were examined. C-tests were the most negatively rated, apparently because of the perceived difficulty of this type of test. No significant differences were observed between genders or between language groups. (Author/JL)