New data are presented on the academic preparation of college-bound students by discipline area and ethnic group, average college entrance examination scores (Scholastic Assessment Test--SAT and American College Testing--ACT) by gender and ethnic group, proportion of test takers and ethnic groups, and advanced placement candidates by gender and…

If universities were serious about enhancing student learning, they would explore other ways of organizing work, including reorganization of the curriculum into learning communities that enable learning to span the disciplines, creating classrooms that promote collaborative learning experiences, and using forms of assessment that encourage shared…

Examines social aspects of literacy learning; presents some thoughts on reading development and literacy instruction. Suggests that teachers should promote literacy by incorporating students' interests in their activities. Developing chat rooms, posting messages on the Internet, and making a radio play for younger students all provide meaningful…

Reports on a study that contrasted learning outcomes of students in a class that incorporated computer assisted instruction (CAI) exercises with those of a lecture-only class. Students in the lecture-plus CAI class scored higher than those in the lecture-only class, specifically regarding material covered in the class. (MJP)

Introduces a simple student-centered activity that can effectively complement a traditional lecture by encouraging group discussion and reflection. Students orally review the lecture in groups and submit summaries to the lecturer that are ultimately compiled into a course review. Discusses the benefits of this practice and students' responses.…

Recommends turning some of the more tedious aspects of elementary instrumental rehearsals (particularly playing scales) into games. Describes a number of educational games that can be constructed around these activities, including a "Wheel of Fortune" parody. (MJP)

Maintains that multimedia technology can bridge the gap between visual learners and the aural experience of music. Discusses the efficacy of low-tech approaches such as listening maps where icons in the score denote musical changes and high-tech approaches including multimedia programs. Includes a five-item annotated bibliography. (MJP)

Empirical studies evaluating speech and language intervention procedures applied to children with autism are reviewed and the documented benefits are summarized. In particular, interventions incorporating sign language, discrete-trial training, and milieu teaching procedures have been used successfully to expand the communication repertoires of…

Twenty-four first-graders who were taught reading skills using the "Language Basics: Elementary" program, which incorporates the Orton-Gillingham-based Alphabetic Phonics Method, made statistically significant gains in phonological awareness, decoding, and reading comprehension. Thirty-two controls taught with the Houghton-Mifflin Basal…

Contrasts the effects of a storybook reading approach to traditional reading readiness approaches on the literacy development of urban at-risk kindergarten children. Finds that the storybook reading groups scored significantly higher on a variety of literacy measures. Finds no significant differences between the groups on standardized measures of…

Discusses the adoption of computer technology for use in education in developing countries. Topics discussed include criteria for technology adoption; costs; instructional effectiveness; cost effectiveness; the concept of computer literacy; meeting job market demands; educational improvement; computer education policies; hardware and software…

Describes study that investigated whether a new children's television series on mathematics, "Square One TV," produced primarily for an at-home audience, could be repurposed for elementary school classroom use. Teacher and student characteristics and attitudes are examined, teacher-led activities using the edited videocassettes are described, and…

Describes study that examined the instructional effectiveness of abstract diagrams and verbal explanations in learning from social science texts. The control and treatment groups of adult learners at Everyman's University (Israel) are described, verbal and visual aptitude tests are explained, and results are analyzed. (25 references) (Author/LRW)

Discusses cooperative problem solving among Open University physics and math students and describes three studies that investigated how to design effective computer-based support for collaborative learning in distance education. The value of peer interaction for learning and problem solving is discussed, and students' attitudes to group work are…

Describes the development and evaluation of an interactive videodisc designed for Open University students in a physics course that explores the physical properties of water. The user interface is discussed; software is described; videodisc production is explained; and results of an evaluation of student attitudes from questionnaire responses is…