Maintains that computer software and Internet exploration introduce playful elements into learning. Discusses the implications of "edutainment," a technologically mediated learning/enjoyment combination of experiences. Suggests that school may no longer be the primary site for learning but that teachers may need to reevaluate their…

Clarifies issues surrounding teaching of the alphabet to preschoolers. Considers the meaning of "teaching" and examines links between letter knowledge, phonemic awareness, and learning to read. Presents suggestions for teaching the alphabet within developmentally appropriate practice guidelines, including beginning with the familiar, creating a…

Focuses on reading pedagogy and metacognition in six classrooms in Leeds (England) and six classrooms in Dublin (Ireland). In relation to three interrelated themes (tasks, texts, and contexts), evaluates (1) children's opportunities for developing metacognitive awareness and metacognitive strategies in reading and (2) teachers' thinking and…

Suggests in Bruce Kimball's thesis that a pragmatic consensus was emerging about the understanding of liberal education offers that it might be best understood by comparing it to J. Rawl's idea of an "overlapping consensus." States that by comparing and contrasting these ideas that the emerging consensus is pragmatic in nature. (CMK)

Mexican-born Manuel M. Corella was the first minority student to attend the University of California, taught Spanish there, was an officer in the university cadets, and engaged in debating and literary activity. Yet his university career closed in mystery when after 4 years he suddenly left, without official explanation, only months before…

Discusses both norm-referenced and criterion-referenced assessment of undergraduate students' written work. Provides information on a framework for criterion-referenced assessment and offers the guidelines for criterion-referenced assessment of undergraduate essays in the appendix. Considers the problems with implementation of criterion-referenced…

Argues the case for democratic practices in adult graduate study, which include balancing and negotiating power, fostering collaboration, and enabling shared decision making. Advocates the cohort model for graduate education. (Contains 14 references.) (SK)

Secondary school mentors in England (n=273) ranked teacher trainee weaknesses. Comparison over 3 years shows how prescriptive national regulations for teacher training have influenced perceptions of good teaching. Mentors now emphasize short-term examinable characteristics over practices fostering learner engagement. (Contains 20 references.) (SK)

Presents a framework for thinking about the range of potential primary orientations (creative arts, production arts, and academic arts) of teachers who believe children should be given time everyday for the arts. States that case studies of six teachers were conducted. Reveals six propositions regarding the orientations. (CMK)

Presents three principles of repertoire selection: (1) select music of good quality; (2) select music that is teachable; and (3) select music that is appropriate to the context. Discusses how repertoire selection relates to the National Standards for Music Education. Lists resources for repertoire selection and choral teaching. (CMK)

Explores how choir directors choose the music repertoire for a concert. Offers six criteria (text, singability, form, part-writing, accompaniment, and instructional implications) when evaluating a piece for use with children. Discusses the process of developing the concert. Includes sources for listings of children's choir octavos and sample…

Focuses on repertoire selection, addressing issues such as beginning the process, keeping lists and resources for future use, seeing concerts as sharing experiences, and problems to avoid. Discusses the importance of networking and offers suggestions for enabling music educators to grow as teachers. (CMK)

Discusses the experience of developing and directing a fiddle group that included both students and adults. States that adult volunteers within the fiddle group are critical to its success. Includes tips for starting a fiddle group. (CMK)

This study describes changes at an Australian school for the deaf toward a language policy favoring the increased use of Australian Sign Language and bilingual pedagogy. Teachers' dissatisfaction with educational outcomes and current practices propelled these changes. Beliefs about language policy and practices are explored, as are the…

Emmanuel Levinas has been acclaimed as "one of the most significant ethical thinkers of the twentieth century" (Kearney & Rainwater, 1996, p. 122), as "the greatest moral philosopher of this century" (Bauman, 1992, p. 41) and as one whose thought "can make us tremble" (Derrida, 1967/1978, p. 82). These outstanding accolades from leading figures in…