A team of secondary school language teachers and a teacher trainer developed a new method for Dutch writing instruction. The principles underlying the method were derived from insights regarding activating instruction and self-directed student learning. The development entailed two phases. In the first phase, the exploration of actual problems in…

The New Zealand technology curriculum requires children to solve problems to meet people's needs. So who are these people? Are they the users of the product, people who are affected by the product or someone else? This article investigates the confusion and limitations that exists in the New Zealand curriculum about the terms society, community,…

This article views social work education as fundamentally a knowledge implementation enterprise. It proposes principles, partnerships, and strategies through which schools can advance evidence-based practice in social work. Such strategies should meet five criteria: They must be deliberate and strategic, they should be knowledge based, they should…

Widespread adoption of pedagogical methods promoting evidence-based practice (EBP) could enhance the effectiveness of social work practice education. Schools of social work should ensure that faculty are trained in the methods of EBP; establish a committee responsible for tracking and implementing demonstrably effective instructional innovations…

This ERIC "FAST Bib" provides annotations of ERIC documents and journal articles that address the question of how to balance two opposing forces operating in today's schools, i.e., the forces of change and complacency, to establish an exemplary language arts curriculum that is a reality and not just a theoretical mirage. The 18…

The purpose of an instructional system is to bring about specific changes in the capabilities of individuals; that is, their potential performance of certain intellectual or motor activities. Achievement and attitudes of learners entering into instruction constitute the input of the system, while their change capabilities are the output. Because…

Based on a survey of 83 instructional developers, this chapter considers whether the instructional developer/client relationship is a consulting relationship and, if so, whether consultants employ a specific consulting model. Four models of consultation are considered--the Product Model, the Prescription Model, the Collaborative/Process Model, and…

Three bases or decision-rules for selecting and organizing content for teacher preparation programs are discussed. In order to be considered as viable content for a teacher preparation program, the concept, principle, or process must be: (1) related to student growth; (2) a necessary curricular component; and (3) logically explained by a theory of…

Cognitive style is a potentially rich, but typically overlooked, source of individualization in computer based instruction (CBI). Using information about learners' cognitive styles in the design, development, and evaluation phases of CBI production can maximize individualization. In the design phase, for example, learners' cognitive styles can be…

This paper details a computer managed program of instruction called Teaching Information Processing System (TIPS) as adapted to an introductory psychology course. TIPS encourages the instructor to formulate objectives for meaningful units of a course--objectives which should imply what changes in student behavior indicate mastery. Then multiple…

What task descriptions and task analyses are, how to write task descriptions, and the relationship of task descriptions to instructional objectives are demonstrated in educational settings. A task description is a systematic method of listing the salient features of a task, and identifies the steps or actions that must be taken to perform a task.…

A collection of activities is presented for teachers to help students explore the schooling process, from the overall organization of the school district to the daily aspects of learning in the classroom. (CB)

Research regarding the characteristics and applications of "errorless" learning methods (stimulus shaping, stimulus fading, and superimposition) indicates that such methods provide a means of designing instruction and materials to facilitate the acquisition of skills, with minimal or no errors, by "difficult to teach" students.…

A library skills program for freshman composition students was redesigned to correct problems caused by a lack of uniformly accepted methods of implementation. Changes made included a revised workbook, streamlined class sessions, enforcement of due dates for exercises, and improved communication with faculty. Three references are listed. (MES)

Factors effecting the success of preschool early intervention programs for children birth through age five are discussed. Specific issues covered include building a high quality program, maintaining quality instruction, integrating related services, providing the least restrictive environment, identifying participants, designing the delivery…