The objective of the Special Education Department at California University of Pennsylvania is to prepare broadly trained teachers of handicapped children and adults within a noncategorical performance-based model. This paper describes the program's competency clusters in such areas as applied behavior analysis, behavioral assessment,…

Describes two new multimedia products developed by IBM that are interdisciplinary, multicultural, and nongraded (i.e., suitable for elementary grades through college): (1) Columbus: Encounter, Discovery and Beyond; and (2) Illuminated Books and Manuscripts, which explores interrelationships between five literary works and other subject areas. The…

Urges an approach to the teaching of history that takes the largest possible perspective, crossing time as well as space. Discusses the problems and advantages of such an approach. Describes a course on "big" history that begins with time, creation myths, and astronomy, and moves on to paleontology and evolution. (DK)

The development and structure of 6 interdisciplinary world civilization courses by 14 faculty at San Jose State University are described. The curriculum provides a framework for investigation of common problems facing all cultures, analysis and assessment of attempted solutions, successful and unsuccessful, and evaluation of contemporary attempts…

Describes a university's experimental task-based French program that successfully integrated foreign language learning more fully with the learning of interpersonal skills and nonlinguistic content, although some language skills, especially those needed for advanced written language and translation, appeared to suffer. (14 references) (Author/CB)

Urges the internationalization of the engineering curriculum to prepare students for the rigors of global competition in the international marketplace. Lists accreditation pressures and market incentives as barriers to needed diversity. Discusses engineering programs at several schools. Concludes that interdisciplinary inquiry is needed to provide…

This commentary on a reprinted 1968 article by Ray Barsch (EC 602 662) considers each of Barsch's perspectives on learning disabilities (history, disciplines, education, teacher preparation, province, and time) and concludes that a perspective comparing now to then finds that students with learning disabilities are now significantly better served.…

Presents lessons on the geography of the desert designed to teach that different subjects are interrelated and dependant on each other. Explains that the goal was to help students understand that geography is a way of looking at the world not just a study of maps. Includes activities in reading, mathematics, art, and science. (DK)

Explains how collaboration and global perspectives in education are integrally linked, playing a critical role in developing student teachers' knowledge and skills, strengthening relations between schools and universities, and teaching global perspectives to K-12 students. Collaboration links schools, universities, and communities to support…

Proposes sharing mathematics-related newspaper stories as a classroom method to illustrate the importance and relevance of mathematics in the students' lives. Provides examples of appropriate stories and ways they can be used in the classroom. (18 references) (MDH)

Asserts that education cannot be limited to the confines of a textbook but must be a true window to the world. Argues that this can be achieved through curriculum and thematic teaching. Provides suggestions for designing and teaching integrated, thematic units. (CFR)

Describes a college level art history course based on the opposing concepts of Classicism and Romanticism. Contends that all creative work, such as film or architecture, can be categorized according to this bipolar model. Includes suggestions for objects to study and recommends this approach for art education at all education levels. (CFR)

Discusses ways in which marine biology can be integrated into the physics classroom. Topics suggested for incorporation include the harmonic motion of ocean waves, ocean currents, the interaction of visible light with ocean water, pressure, light absorption, and sound transfer in water. (MDH)

Demonstrations to help students change their misconceptions about chemical bond breaking are presented. Students' misconceptions about chemical bonds in both biological and chemical systems are discussed. A calculation for the release of energy from respiration is presented. (KR)

To provide students with interdisciplinary instruction, future teachers need a broad base of knowledge and skills enabling them to comprehend the interrelationships and dependencies among disciplines. The article describes how San Diego State University's teacher education program accomplishes this and offers planning guidelines. (SM)