Professor Loney writes further about his "Project Design" concept (initially described in the September 1976 issue and noted in EJ 149 766) involving group participation in selection, design, construction, testing, and evaluation of projects. Although implementation has been in secondary technical subjects, the concept may be applicable…

Over the past seven years technology students and teachers at the Walkerton District Secondary School in Ontario, Canada have been designing and building projects for community organizations ranging from picnic pavilions to football bleachers. Both the community and the staff and students benefit from this practical experience. The article…

Impact of economic and urban planning on the natural environment can be studied through local situations: California conservation students realized the detrimental effects of a seemingly beneficial dam project. Students were inspired to initiate community-state action to correct damage to wildlife, sanitation, and farming. (AV)

Student performance on an undergraduate honors degree was examined using four different assessment methods (traditional examinations, examination on questions seen ahead of testing, case studies, and student projects). Performance is best when a variety of evaluation methods are combined and that weaker students perform best when traditional…

Shows how newspapers can provide valuable information for an individual's three economic personalities--consumer, producer, and citizen. Describes class activities using the newspaper to explore information related to these roles. (MM)

Illustrates the inability of conventional education to meet the needs of today's children. Describes the BONGO Program, an interdisciplinary team-taught approach that uses drama to teach academic subjects. Students learn by doing and then present their projects to the public, thereby becoming active participants in society. Highlights the success…

Outlines a six-week unit on contemporary Native American literature at the secondary level, presenting themes, reading materials, ideas for individual student projects, and other possible resources. (MM)

Describes an assignment for secondary or college geography instruction in which students are appointed as the "Minister of Development" of a developing nation. As students plan their country's future, they confront different facets of development and the consequences of their actions. Includes student and instructor activities, identifying…

Describes a model student-organized awareness week concerning teen pregnancy. The stated goal of the week was to create awareness of the increasing number of teen pregnancies and the impact of a child on a teen's life. (CH)

Describes a four-semester course in technical communication that culminates in a student project for which students work in teams aided by faculty managers to define a project, learn about it on their own, gather evidence, choose the best solution, and defend their choices to an outside client. (SRT)

Describes a technical writing course built around student-designed projects. Argues that the course allows students to address worthwhile problems and to research and present their material in proposals, feasibility studies, research reports, and other appropriate forms. (SRT)

Elementary teachers can gain valuable insights into the teaching of social studies by taking part in primary social science research projects. Describes a primary research project conducted in a social studies methods class that involved future teachers in investigating the water problems of Shreveport, Louisiana. (RM)

Maintains that the study of history must include the in-depth study of a topic and utilization of ideas in contemporary settings in order for history to be a more meaningful experience for young people. Provides an example to illustrate this point from the American Revolutionary War. (JDH)

An approach that will heighten secondary school students' interest in the study of local government and allow even poor readers to participate is described. Students analyze local county budgets and use a variety of resources, including textbooks and guest speakers, to find plausible answers to their own questions. (RM)