Discusses the value of reading biographical material on scientists to enhance student understanding of scientific developments and the roles of individual scientists. Contains a list of recommended books and suggests techniques for selecting the most appropriate literature. (AIM)

Describes how a jigsaw cooperative learning structure divides lab work in a constructive, efficient way and provides a mechanism for sharing information. Pre-lab lectures are replaced with focused student discussions about the lab exercises. Students become more involved with the lab exercises, take responsibility for their own learning, and are…

Describes a partnership formed between Bentley College (Massachusetts) and General Mills to improve an undergraduate New Product Development course. Highlights include a team approach; the role of videoconferencing; developing a prototype product in the chemistry laboratory; feedback from General Mills; student reactions; and future possibilities.…

Challenges teachers to question their teaching practices and views regarding children's learning. Discusses issues related to curriculum design to ensure a wide range of open-ended activities; to manage and organize the environment to meet individual interests and needs; and to assess, record, and report on real-life contexts and their learning…

Provides a comprehensive review of literature regarding misconceptions that are held by secondary students in chemistry. Makes some recommendations based on the research. Contains 77 references. (DDR)

Presents the tools and methodologies that underlie the ARIADNE framework for enabling open and distance education and enhancing more conventional training schemes. The ARIADNE concept relies on a distributed knowledge pool system that stores pedagogically indexed educational resources. The basic approach is one of share and reuse. (AIM)

Addresses postgraduate environmental education by supported distance learning as offered by the Open University in Great Britain. Refers to techniques for regularly updating material in rapidly developing areas as well as integrating teaching and research. Also refers to the modular course Integrated Safety, Health and Environmental Management.…

Reflects on the merits of the Problem Based curriculum designed at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario nearly 30 years ago. This curriculum was a product influenced by the times in which it was used rather than by any educational theory. Concludes that it is necessary to edit the problems as well as any other course materials so as not to…

An interview with American Indian educator Karen Gayton Swisher explores the learning styles of American Indian children and the application of ideas about these learning styles in the programs at Haskell Indian Nations University. Native American children should be taught from a constructivist, rather than a deficit, point of view. (SLD)

In 1994, the Glenview (Illinois) Public Schools created three technology-rich educational environments (TREEs) that use alternative teaching and learning methods through networked communication technologies. Each setting consists of three teachers and about 75 heterogeneously grouped students (ages 9-12) who work collaboratively to solve problems…

Describes some aspects of the Internet that might be used in the professional development of language teachers, with particular reference to teachers in Canada. The article notes that teachers can attend cyberschool, use cybereferences and converse with cyberpals. To effectively use the Net, teachers must develop an effective search strategy.…

Presents 12 informal learning opportunities that human performance professionals can create for employees, including learning exchanges, conference summaries, exchanging ideas, posing questions and problems on email or bulletin boards, lunchtime programs, information sharing, recommended reading lists, vendor and consultant presentations,…

This article reviews current knowledge about using computers to teach problem-solving skills to students with learning disabilities (LD). It presents the case for use of hypermedia to improve students' mathematics problem-solving abilities. Specific suggestions are given for applying hypermedia to cognitive strategy instruction and the graduated…

Using common technologies listed in the conversation class, the article suggests a computer-aided language learning (CALL) speaking methodology that is interaction rather than machine centered and outlines ways to ensure the success of speaking activities at the computer. (31 references) (Author/CK)

Reviews color research and considers its implications for the design of instructional materials. Topics include physiological and psychological effects; color and learning, including attention, search tasks, retention and other objective measures, and non-objective measures; color and the cathode ray tube (CRT); and further research needs.…