This study evaluated the output, level of participation, and perceptions of effectiveness and value among participants in a virtual forum. Twenty-three experts in the field of adult education and community development were invited to participate in a three-week interactive session using a World Wide Web-based, asynchronous computer conferencing…

After-school programs provide wide-ranging benefits to children, their families, and the whole community. This report focuses on the benefits children receive: increased safety, reduced risk-taking, and improved learning. Quality afterschool programs keep kids out of trouble, prevent crime, juvenile delinquency, school vandalism, and violent…

This study examines a 3-month software design activity in which mixed teams of girls and boys designed and implemented multimedia resources. Mixed-gender teams of fifth and sixth graders used Logo MicroWorlds in their classroom to design multimedia encyclopedias about their astronomy unit for use by younger children. In this context, students'…

Charter schools are defined by North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI) as "a public school operated by a group of parents, teachers, and/or community members as a semi-autonomous school of choice within a school district, operating under a 'charter' with the State Board of Education." Since most charter schools do not have…

This paper reports on the work of Ransom A. Mackie, a scholar and instructor in Massachusetts under the mentorship of G. Stanley Hall, the prominent adolescent psychologist. Mackie published a book in 1920 which, along with further writings, outlines a cooperative learning strategy. Performance-based education and authentic assessment proponents…

This simulation allows students to learn about and participate in many of the aspects of ancient Greek life that have influenced present institutions and way of life. The phases of the unit include: (1) academy; (2) assembly; (3) Acropolis; (4) Theater; (5) Olympics; (6) Symposium; (7) Festival; and (8) Panhellenic Quiz Bowl. Each stage of play…

This simulation allows students to learn about the lands and customs of the people living in the countries found along the western rim of the Pacific Ocean. The class is divided into eight teams. The phases of the unit include: (1) research; (2) activities; (3) race; and (4) summing up and festival. Each stage of play involves completion of tasks…

This study investigated the influence of textbooks on teaching strategies, specifically secondary school mathematics textbooks. The study compared the teaching strategies of 14 teachers using University of Chicago School Mathematics Project (UCSMP) textbooks in 13 schools with that of another 14 teachers using traditional textbooks in those…

This book contains information, case examples, resources, and ideas to help eliminate the fears of businesses with regard to legal and labor issues and get them involved in school-to-careers (STC) systems. It contains five chapters that cover the following: (1) the need for and the benefits of employer involvement in school-to-careers systems and…

Two elements of constructivist pedagogy warrant attention with respect to second language (L2) learning: collaborative dialogue and learner decision-making. These two elements in instruction bring about experiential and task oriented classrooms. The constructivist approach to the L2 classroom foregrounds conceptual development focused on…

This report represents a summary of the results of the evaluation of the Connecting Libraries and Schools Project (CLASP) conducted from February 1993 through October 1994. The purpose of the evaluation was to assess the degree to which CLASP was successful in reaching its three project goals: (1) to establish library use among students at the…

This publication presents materials synthesized from a consultative seminar jointly sponsored by Britain's Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the National Training Organisations (NTO) National Council, and the Further Education Development Agency (FEDA) in Britain. The seminar's aims were: to examine the business case for investing in…

From 1989 to 2000, the K-12 population of English language learners doubled in the United States and more than tripled in 12 states. When small rural schools first enroll children whose first language is not English, there may be no teachers endorsed specifically to meet linguistic needs, and special educators may be called on for advice. Special…

This paper report the findings of the first phase of a multi-phased research project that is aimed at examining preservice teachers' development of science concepts when learning: (1) takes place at a distance, and (2) is facilitated by videoconferencing technology. The study builds on the work that was done by Lansdown (Lansdown, Blackwood, and…

This study examined differences between two populations of composition students over the course of a semester in their perceptions of collaboration as reported in the pre- and post-surveys. In addition, using an assessment rubric developed by the researchers, the study examined students' audience awareness as demonstrated in their writing. Both…