Discusses individualized teaching or focusing on each child's individual learning needs. Presents a brief history of individualized teaching from Socrates to Dewey. Suggests that, although individualized teaching is the most beneficial kind of instruction, time, resources, and experience show it to be nearly nonexistent in the classroom. Describes…

Considers educational technology's role in designing effective instruction. Instructional design that supports systematic determination of instructional goals and methods for accomplishing those goals and for assessing success requires consideration of four variables associated with instruction: (1) learner characteristics; (2) learning task; (3)…

Reports a study that assessed how a group of teachers used curriculum knowledge when untracking the high school curriculum in heterogeneously grouped classes; and how teachers differentiated curriculum and instruction in that context. Observation and interview data emphasized the important role of participatory and informed teacher engagement in…

Describes a study that explored the impact of using interactive video in a seventh grade earth sciences curriculum. The effectiveness of interactive video and traditional text instructional methods in different settings (computer lab versus classroom) are compared, gender differences are examined, and recommendations for future research are given.…

Responses from a national survey (Education in the Middle Grades) from 1,753 principals in schools teaching grade 7 highlight the effects of the following practices believed to be responsive to adolescent needs: (1) interdisciplinary teacher teams; (2) group advisory periods; (3) remedial instruction programs; and (4) school transition programs.…

Discusses methods of improving the performance of integrated learning systems (ILSs). Topics addressed include the theoretical basis of ILSs; appropriate level of instruction; academic learning time; motivation; quality of instruction; a study of elementary students' use of ILSs; individualized and homogeneous group activities; mixed-ability…

Discussion of digital audio in computer-based training (CBT) focuses on a study at the University of Central Florida that was conducted to determine whether the addition of audio to CBT had positive effects on undergraduates' cognitive achievement levels and to analyze its effect on time required to complete a lesson. (14 references) (LRW)

This article discusses the integration of computers into effective instruction in special education. In search of software appropriate to the student's stage of learning, implementations are addressed in terms of warm-up, introductory activity, guided practice, independent practice, and assessment. Criteria for selection are explained and several…

Describes a community internship program in which music education sophomores develop their own teaching ideas. Claims the most powerful lessons are those the student-interns discover on their own. Says leadership role provides preservice teachers with opportunities to adapt to many situations in the process of learning how to teach. Includes…

Describes the development, implementation, and assessment of an interactive multimedia instruction (IMI) program that used interactive videodisc to teach listening skills. Results of an experimental study with college students at Radford University (Virginia) that tested the effectiveness of the IMI program are discussed, and future applications…

Eastern Michigan University's experience with use of hypothetical classroom cases to promote discussion of teaching among faculty is examined. The technique has been found to be useful, adaptable to a wide range of disciplines and needs, and an effective catalyst in efforts to improve instruction. Case writers may benefit most. (MSE)

Defines "authenticity" in learning as the cumulation of the following components: higher-order thinking, depth of knowledge, substantive conversation, and connections to the world beyond the classroom. Includes a sample lesson plan incorporating these elements into a study of global trends. The lesson plan includes brainstorming, student research…

A graduate-level distance-education course for elementary school teachers used a "class page" on the World Wide Web to increase teacher-student and peer interaction and provide access to Web resources. Periodic student surveys during the course showed the dramatic impacts of the class page on student interaction behaviors, technology use…

Three college instructors, teaching very different content (management, political science, and literature) and using classroom assessment techniques (CATs), compared the results. All found that CATs contributed to self-reflection, that designing CATs helps faculty focus on course and class goals, and that responding to CATs requires students to…

Four sections of an undergraduate pharmacy communications course were randomly assigned to include either a traditional laboratory project or a service-learning project. Data collected late in the semester revealed significant positive changes for the service-learning participants in cognitive complexity, social competency, perceived ability to…