Since 1999, MIT has undertaken an extensive effort in creating and implementing educational technology. Broadly speaking, there have been two kinds of efforts: developing web-based services for higher education and creating educational technology applications for use in the classroom. This article reviews a group of projects that produced…

In this article, the author describes a short activity which introduces third- to fifth-grade students to animal classification. The Tree of Animal Life activity is a simple, sorting exercise that can help them see a bigger picture. The activity sets the stage for learning about animal taxonomy and introduces the characteristics of various animal…

Scientists have a particularly difficult time explaining warming trends in Antarctica--a region with a relatively short history of scientific observation and a highly variable climate (Clarke et al. 2007). Regardless of the mechanism of warming, however, climate change is having a dramatic impact on Antarctic ecosystems. In this article, the…

This article tells how to produce your own classroom movies. (PD)

Describes a class project on hydroponic farming (growing plants in water and in organic nutrients rather than dirt). Students formed a corporation to raise necessary funds and paid dividends from the proceeds earned selling the crop. (JMB)

Making and using masks can be a fun classroom project. Directions for creating many styles of three-dimensional masks are presented. Suggestions for using masks in the classroom are offered. (MT)

Several class activities involving paper are suggested. Some are making paper itself, investigating paper's absorptive properties, and making paper gifts. (MT)

Do-boxes are activity centers in a shoe box that are designed to get children thinking, predicting, and evaluating. Suggested acitivities are listed. (DF)

A class of 20 children eight to nine years old with low mathematic attainments assumed responsibility for planning the school's Easter Parade. Real life problems of purchasing prizes, timing the parade, and taking photographs provided opportunities for mathematics learning. (CL)

A learning experience designed to expand primary students' knowledge of what is and is not magic is described. Included are activities involving language arts, math, art, class discussion, and motor skills. (MT)

Ten 10-minute activities to fill in the space between lessons or before lunch are described. Each one is designed to encourage students to think and participate. (MT)

Gives objectives and instructions for games and exercises for the second language classroom. Examples are all in French. (EKN)

This article briefly explains the use of trading cards as teaching tools. (BB)