Examined special education effectiveness for students with mild disabilities in six California grade schools. Found that no single feature, structure, or organization of school environment consistently indicated a school's relative standing or its relative effectiveness based on student performance. Findings posed implications for educational…

A distance education course in drug information, scholarly literature evaluation, and biostatistics, offered as part of a doctoral pharmacy program, incorporates teleconferencing and online critiquing of pharmacy journal literature. Structure of the class, software and hardware, student performance, and student response to the teaching methods are…

Describes a six-week study unit that requires students to examine specific aspects of the Iran-Contra affair in light of models such as presidential leadership style. The combination of a case study, student-centered cooperative learning, and writing across the curriculum proved popular with both the students and teacher. (MJP)

Presents activities, recommendations, and guidelines for creating a nonsexist social studies curriculum. Recommends using nonsexist language, considering the influence of gender bias, examining the contribution of women, and modeling nonsexist behavior. Includes several lists of instructional materials and resources. (MJP)

Examines possible reasons for the lack of issues-oriented instruction in social studies classrooms. Provides curriculum suggestions to remedy this, including exploring debatable issues that can be researched and are interesting. Includes 12 instructional strategies designed to maintain student interest and smooth over rough spots. (MJP)

Recommends incorporating a thorough analysis of popular music into the teaching of music appreciation. Considers moving beyond the traditional approach (chronological progression beginning with the medieval period) to include innovative comparisons of different styles, instruments, and historical periods. Includes suggested strategies, activities,…

Analyzes the blended learning environment in an introductory first-year writing course at Brigham Young University (Utah). The success of this course is compared with the tradition version of the course. The paper describes the process and outcomes associated with teaching and learning within a blended learning environment. (MES)

Reviews research in the area of interdisciplinary team work at the middle school level. Suggests that the benefits of interdisciplinary teaming are clear--evidence abounds suggesting that teaming results in higher achievement in math, reading and language arts skills. Furthermore, these skills are developed more effectively across a wide range of…

Attempts to identify and describe the characteristics of effective teaching in the piano studio. Videotaped lessons with independent piano teachers and students were evaluated according to specific behavioral measures (general approval, music talk) and separately by pedagogical measures. Includes statistical and tabular data. (MJP)

This observational study analyzed effects of instructional variables on the engaged behavior of 29 students with moderate, severe, or profound intellectual disabilities who were included full-time in general elementary classrooms. Results indicated that one-to-one, small group, and independent work arrangements were associated with higher engaged…

The development of a complex, highly computerized system of performance indicators by the State University of New York provides the means to monitor internal progress, report to a skeptical public, and compare the system's performance with a national sample of institutions. The system is described here, and the performance indicators and data…

A large-group (110 students) pharmaceutics course, designed to use small-group case-based problem solving to address pharmaceutical manufacturing problems, is described; and student response to the course is examined. The 11 case studies used in the curriculum are summarized. The peer evaluation form is included. (MSE)

The use of coaching to bring research-based teaching practices into general education classrooms to improve reading instruction for students with learning disabilities is explored. Twelve elementary teachers were trained and mentored by consultants and two special education coaches. Special and general educators conceptualized teaching differently…

Maintains that cognitive flexibility, the ability to generate many possible solutions, is identified as the most critical aspect of creativity training. Describes the use of word tables, computer games, and riddles to develop cognitive flexibility. Presents evidence that these methods are effective in enhancing creative and critical thinking…

Describes a study which investigated the impact of implementation strategies on learner behavior and engagement in a university classroom-based World Wide Web learning activity. In particular it examined the influence of a collaborative activity on learner behavior and the role played by a printed guide designed to focus and direct learners'…