Argues for an approach to undergraduate instruction that incorporates recent research concerning schema theory (the continual cognitive restructuring and processing of information). Recommends beginning with fundamental skills and building on these to include more complex concepts and processes. Includes an illustrative example beginning with…

Provides a series of guidelines for overcoming resistance and problems with cooperative projects in an introductory sociology course. These include coordinating common interests and common free time between team members, requiring allocation of various roles (presider, scribe, coordinator), and ongoing monitoring of the research teams. (MJP)

Argues that the fragmentary nature of mass media has made students suspicious of the traditional lecture format. Recommends that history teachers incorporate questions concerning source material and knowledge (e.g. How do I know this?) into their presentations. Suggests a number of activities and texts that can be used to involve students in…

Maintains that the standard Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) does not include many common events that act as stressors for college students and includes many events that have little or no meaning for them. Introduces an instrument intended for classroom demonstrations: the College Undergraduate Stress Scale (CUSS). (MJP)

Addresses the problem of students coming to tutorials not having done the assigned readings. Reviews three approaches to promote student reading and addresses why they failed. Reviews recent research on student motivation and cooperative learning and suggests ways to promote reading and interdependent learning. (MJP)

A study compared learning outcomes in an orthodontic biomechanics course when a CD-ROM was used in one group and photographic slides were used in another. Students in both groups performed at similar levels on a written examination and responded similarly to a statement reflecting how they understood the material. However, students felt the…

Discusses whether community and public service efforts enhance a university's academic mission or whether they are misplaced efforts to heal sagging social conscience. Explores related issues and urges practitioners to commit to scholarly documentation of outcomes for students who participate in community service and service-learning. (Author/MSE)

A University of Auckland (Australia) program of developmental studies for students on academic probation provides four days of intensive instruction in time management, study habits, test preparation, test-taking, memory, concentration, and writing skills. Data show students taking the course improved significantly in their academic achievement…

A 2-year case study analyzed how assistive technology was used in educational programs for 14 children with multiple disabilities and 2 to 10 years experience with assistive technology. By the end of the study the children were able to use technology tools to accomplish tasks previously not possible due to disability severity. The greatest…

The automation administrators of 49 recently automated libraries were interviewed regarding staff and user training for the systems. Discussion focuses on training objectives and procedures, timing and effectiveness, problems encountered, and factors necessary for training success. Vendor perspectives on library needs for detailed and customized…

Compares and contrasts the need for educational standards in the United States and Russia. Argues that both systems burden their students with an excess of peripheral and inconsequential material in order to satisfy outdated pedagogical objectives. Praises American efforts at creating national standards but questions their applicability to Russia.…

Provides a brief overview of salient facts to be incorporated into a lesson plan on Australia. Several lists contain interesting facts concerning geography, resource utilization, culture, and population. Includes suggested list of research/discussion topics and a list of annotated references. (MJP)

This articles describes the Scale for Coaching Instructional Effectiveness, an instrument to help special education peer coaches observe general education teachers' skills, strategies, and techniques and provide feedback in the areas of planning and organization, instruction, and classroom management. Presents three examples of the instrument…

Summarizes 14 mathematics word-problem-solving intervention studies for elementary and secondary students with disabilities or who were at-risk for math failure. Interventions included representational techniques (diagramming), strategy-training procedures (cognitive and metacognitive), task variations (sequencing and word-problem context), and…

Contends that educational organizations must shift their focus from innovative online product development to a standardization of the product with an increase in process innovation and development. Asserts that an increase in process design is the next step toward developing, implementing, and refining collaborative learning, learning communities,…