This article presents a summary of the results from phase 1 of a two-phase research project. Drawing on the principles of problem-based learning (PBL), the aims of phase 1 were to design, develop and evaluate a set of flexible online teaching resources for use within a virtual learning environment. Participants in the project (n = 10) were…

Created by teachers for teachers, the Math Academy tools and activities included in this booklet were designed to create hands-on activities and a fun learning environment for the teaching of mathematics to the students. This booklet contains the "Math Academy--Let's Go to the Mall! Explorations in Combinatorics," which teachers can use to enhance…

Violence is becoming the number one problem in United States schools. Approximately 20 percent of high school students regularly carry guns and other weapons. Several nonviolent measures are appropriate to reduce violence in schools; but only the implementation of multiple ideas and measures, not "quick fix" solutions, will curb…

This guide provides basic information about the nature and scope of service learning and considerations in developing service learning programs for students in grades K-12. First, service learning is defined as a method whereby participants learn and develop through active participation in thoughtfully organized service that is conducted in and…

Each year nearly 400,000 children in the United States are thrust into court through no fault of their own. Often these children also become victims of the United States' overburdened child welfare system. A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer is a trained citizen who is appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of a child…

This Peace Corps volunteer language training manual is based on the experience of two pre-service trainings and was guided by the Peace Corps language training curriculum. The learning approach is competency-based or topic-oriented to provide survival competencies. Three main sections review phonetics, topics for discussion, and practical grammar…

This paper presents a course outline, a list of required readings, and procedures for "Narrative, Community, and Communication," an honors class at the University of Southern Mississippi. The paper explains that the course focuses on volunteer community service--the idea being to place the student in a setting of genuine need to help…

Title VI provide Federal funds to states through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 as amended in 1994. Title VI funds can support one or more programs that include school reform activities, the purchase and use of instructional and educational materials, programs for the gifted and talented, and programs of various sorts for the…

A study investigated parent attitudes toward a dual-language (Spanish/English) immersion program of bilingual education, in which both English-speakers and non-English-speakers are participating students and English is used no more than 50 percent of the time for instruction. The 20-item (agree/disagree format) survey elicited opinions from 200…

This document, which is intended for work force and workplace development providers, examines ways of reducing the costs of developing and delivering training to small and midsized companies. Listed first are the following strategies for cutting service costs: split the provider's development costs by delivering the same services to a number of…

This curriculum guide is designed for the Arabic language training of Peace Corps workers in Tunisia, and reflects daily communication needs in that context. An introductory section describes the materials' organization and competency-based approach, and lists the 28 specific competencies targeted and the constructions taught within each…

This report on the Peer Helper's program, assesses the effectiveness of the training and counseling of peer helpers, the training of peer helper facilitators, and its recruitment procedures. This program, introduced into 10 public schools in the 1992-93 school year, provides training to selected high school students to help them identify and…

Intergenerational activities are any activities planned to be of mutual benefit to more than one age group. This manual concentrates on school-age children and older adults sharing experiences in the library or elsewhere using library materials. The following four models are introduced: (1) Sharing Letters; (2) Sharing Stories; (3) Sharing…

This handbook contains several different sections to aid volunteers teaching English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) to refugees. Part 1, "Getting Started," discusses cultural differences and difficulties the students may encounter. Part 2, "Mechanics of Teaching," offers tips on teaching refugees and general teaching methods. Lesson planning,…

This document consists of a 1996-97 final report of Youth Works*AmeriCorps (YW*AC) and a supplemental report with information collected by the Minnesota Department of Children, Families, and Learning. The final report provides information on the third year of collaboration among the Minnesota Commission on National and Community Service,…