Widespread dissatisfaction caused a Nevada district to reexamine and revamp its teacher-evaluation process. The new system, which assumes teacher participation in goal setting helps teachers become self-reflective practitioners capable of adjusting their practices, has four domains: planning and preparation, classroom environment, instruction, and…

Describes a classroom-based social decision-making intervention to promote health and prevent problem behaviors. The approach unites social-cognitive, affective, behavioral, and social relationship areas with critical thinking skills important for academic achievement. Because middle school students are high risk for negative health outcomes, they…

This supplement assembles six articles covering Internet usage in the library media center, including: selecting and evaluating Internet resources; developing information literacy skills to reach educational goals; and citing Internet resources. It examines demographic profiles of schools that are connected to the Internet and provides tips and…

Argues that one of the richest vehicles for enhancing students' classroom learning is the diversity of the student body itself. Integrating diversity into the classroom process also increases motivation and facilitates development of social, cognitive, and communication skills necessary for today's multicultural workforce. Classroom experiences,…

Describes the first year of an ongoing professional development school project designed to integrate computer technology into elementary school lessons, while simultaneously providing educational technology experiences for preservice teachers and student teachers, as well as their cooperating teachers and college supervisors. College students…

Explains curriculum mapping, a computerized method for use in educators' decision-making in elementary and secondary education. Topics include the role of media specialists with information literacy, collection development, and curriculum support; identifying gaps in skills and assessment; aligning assessments with standards; and timeliness.…

Through a continuum-of-services approach, the Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM) provides numerous enrichment and acceleration alternatives designed to accommodate the academic strengths, interests, and learning styles of all middle-level students. Major components include the total-talent portfolio, curriculum modification, and enrichment…

The Tools for Understanding Project moves noncollege-bound students toward varied, integrated experiences with literacies required for success in the work force. The program excels at teaching higher order thinking, linking instruction with communication, and giving students practice in problem-solving (raising funds for a field trip). (MLH)

Explains that authentic teaching and assessment enable students to utilize their prior knowledge, recent learning, and critical thinking and problem-solving skills in real-world contexts. Describes examples of authentic teaching and assessment that use the "Voluntary National Content Standards in Economics" as a framework for economics…

Examines the influence of group constitution on group function, and the influence of teamwork and cooperative learning on the individual's perception of the subject. Subjects were undergraduate Computer Science students. Results indicated development of positive intergroup relations and desirable prosocial behaviors which could bridge the gap…

Examined student attitudes toward the introduction of a Web component into a general biology course for undergraduate nonmajors that allowed asynchronous learning outside the classroom and increased student-to-student interaction. Results showed a positive effect on student learning, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking skills. Attitudes…

The present study describes and discusses the use of a virtual community to build language and culture skills. According to the National Standards Project (2004), "The United States must educate students who are linguistically and culturally equipped to communicate successfully in a pluralistic American society and abroad." Through the…

This paper describes a technique the first author imported from management practice to (a) develop students' meeting management skills, (b) improve students' listening skills and conflict management abilities and (c) encourage student participation and create a supportive learning environment. The technique uses a tangible prop (i.e., a Nerf ball)…

This article presents two models for creating new developmentally appropriate preschool movement programs: CHAOS (Children Helping Adults Open Senses) at Eastern Connecticut State University and "KinderPlay" at Florida International University. CHAOS and KinderPlay utilize skill themes and movement concepts as their focus and incorporate…

There is growing awareness of the need to equip students to think through the ethical implications of developments in biology. We describe an exercise in which students work in teams to produce websites about current controversial issues within the subject. Participants report a significant improvement in their knowledge of bioethics and…