Results of student surveys at an Indian university, conducted in 1964 and 1989, are compared. Survey questions addressed parental educational background and occupation, education among women in the family, language of schooling (Hindi or English), ease with which educational expenses are met, student aspirations, political attitudes, housing, and…

Illustrates how the Reggio Emilia (Italy) Approach to learning uses classroom projects to provide valuable learning experiences to young children. Suggests how certain aspects of the Reggio Emilia approach of classroom project work may be applied to teaching and learning strategies in the United States. (BB)

Considers the use of pre- and posttest results as formative evaluation tools and describes a small group evaluation of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) courseware dealing with French for banking. Test design is discussed, including standards, validity, and reliability; and results from user questionnaires are examined. (Contains 14…

In spite of increasing ethnic, linguistic, and socioeconomic diversity, educational reform efforts continue to target mainstream English-speaking U.S. public. The educational plans of the America 2000 initiative are no exception. This theme issue provides examples of classroom-based research in which educators try to improve literacy education for…

Literature-based children's literacy programs usually lack cultural foundation on the part of teachers providing the instruction. A framework for a cultural base for educators addresses this cultural gap. A series of professional development activities is presented that reflects the theoretical framework and increases cultural sensitivity. (SLD)

Use of the Cognitive Skills Inventory (CSI) in cross-cultural studies was investigated by comparing responses of 348 English-speaking, 142 bilingual Puerto Rican, and 109 monolingual Spanish college students. Analyses illustrate a stable and reliable factor structure across cultures for the CSI and its Spanish translation. (SLD)

Presents suggestions to help elementary teachers organize learning centers and activities around the themes of Peter Rabbit (Grade 1), weather (Grade 3), and bees (Grade 5). Suggestions are given for activities in centers for listening/reading, language arts, computers, math, science, cooperative learning, research, and writing. (SM)

Discusses strategies for teaching elementary computer programing and describes a study that used two instructional strategies in a computer-based training program designed to teach turtle graphics programing techniques to novice undergraduate students. Learning activities that emphasized either the completion of existing programs or the generation…

Reviews the situation of education in Kosova, a part of old Yugoslavia with an Albanian population, where a low-intensity ethnic cleansing campaign against children is being conducted by Serbian authorities. In response to Serbian destruction of the public school system, semiclandestine Albanian language schools have been created. (SLD)

Provides insights into issues facing educators and counselors who are working with language minority students in public school settings. Explores cultural themes common to many Hispanic American groups, looks at approaches to urban and other current Native American settings, and describes the Minority Identity Development Model for Asian…

Suggests college teachers examine their nonverbal expressions (eye contact, voice quality, movement, clothing) and align them to complement verbal expressions. Surveys studies that found teaching effectiveness improved when verbal and nonverbal communication styles corresponded. Reveals how students trusted nonverbal expressions to mirror…

Discusses the rationale and attributes of the whole-language approach and applies it to secondary social studies instruction. Describes assessment strategies used with the whole-language approach and maintains that evaluation of student writing helps prepare them for appraisal in the workplace. (CFR)

Reviews efforts to develop national content standards for teaching English. Today's standards movements are distinguished from earlier efforts in that the learner is recognized as active, the meaning is socially and historically contingent, and the purpose is the development of language for political power and the creation and appreciation of…

Advances a framework for teacher-assisted computer implementation based on Vygotsky's theory of socially mediated cognitive development. The approach suggested by this framework acknowledges critical roles of adults or more skilled partners in task performance and knowledge construction. Describes an application of the approach used to provide…

Describes community service learning (CSL) programs at Pottenger School, Springfield (Massachusetts). The kindergarten through grade-12 school, a literature-based whole-language school, integrates CSL into the curriculum through writing about student experiences. CSL projects have included feeding the homeless, corresponding with a soldier, and…