Distance education is moving toward more interactive environments. Studies of student satisfaction with distance education suggest that the level of interaction in the class is related to perceptions of satisfaction regardless of the instructional medium. This paper reports findings from a study of four graduate research and evaluation courses at…

Four models of online teaching are currently being used within the Faculty of Informatics and Communications at Central Queensland University in Australia. The naive model, which is the most widely used, may be characterized as "putting lecture notes on the World Wide Web" with no opportunities for interaction or feedback. The standard…

The main objective of this program was to produce animated educational material to stimulate students' interest and learning process related to the sciences and to measure their impact. The program material was designed to support middle school educators with an effective, accessible, and novel didactic tool produced specifically to enhance and…

Undergraduate students majoring in Islamic Studies at the women's colleges in Saudi Arabia need to take an English-for-Specific-Purposes (ESP) course each year of the B.A. program. The material for all four courses was developed in-house by a group of instructors at those colleges. An examination of the course material in general and reading…

Analyzes data from a questionnaire addressing preservice elementary teachers' negative attitudes toward social studies. Identifies and discusses six categories of concern: negative past experiences; lack of personal interest; confusion over the nature of social studies; conflicting beliefs; topic selection; and traditional teaching styles. (MJP)

Contrasts two approaches to achieving depth in an 8th grade U.S. history class. One presents a detailed and chronological approach, the other a discipline-based matrix structure with chronological and regional evolutions as a backdrop. Favors stressing major principles and generalizations while focusing in depth on prototypical examples. (MJP)

A study compared student ratings (n=472) of course and professor before and after a faculty development workshop in lecture presentation; all other aspects of the course were kept the same, including content. Results suggest student ratings changes were affected substantially by stylistic changes in instruction, not by what students learned.…

Articulates some of the primary benefits derived from using specific cases to teach macroeconomics. Cases contain information, not only diverse and interesting, but relevant to the business environment where many graduates will be working. Specifically, they convey information about qualitative trade-offs and complex environments. (MJP)

Recommends integrating global education objectives in a low-key manner through the questions and examples that the teacher interjects into classroom discussions. Articulates four foci that can serve as entry points for global education in many discussions. These include moral issues, systems approach, and reflexive inquiry. (MJP)

Describes classroom activities designed to make an elementary class' study of people's contributions to Alberta's (Canada) history more culturally relevant for both the native and non-native students. The activities centered on student research of famous local people of the past. The projects included writing assignments, interviews, and artworks.…

Utilizes the statistical procedure of meta-analysis in a quantitative review of art education research literature. Discovers that art education is more effective in producing results concerning aesthetic perception than visual-spatial ability. Discusses possible implications of the study and recommends further combination of quantitative and…

Describes an English undergraduate physical geography class that combines lecture and practice to create an integrated team project involving fieldwork, laboratory analysis, data analysis, group report writing, poster production, and presentations. The class encourages group interaction, student decision making, and the development of transferable…

Outlines several historical cases that can be used to illustrate and teach paradoxical concepts concerning democracy. For example, can an "undemocratic" action be correct (the Louisiana Purchase)? The combination of historical incident and controversy provokes a lively and challenging discussion of democratic principles. (MJP)

Provides a series of suggestions for improving choral rehearsals and maintaining the students' vocal health. Advocates establishing an adequate warm-up period, allowing drinking water in the rehearsals, and choosing age-appropriate material. Recommends allowing students to rehearse difficult material in a comfortable range. (MJP)

A study compared student learning in two sections of an introductory college biology course for nonmajors. Groups were taught in the traditional teacher-centered, lecture/laboratory format (n=86 students) and in a student-centered constructivist format (n=98). The latter group performed significantly better on the same tests, maintained a better…