This qualitative study explored the perceptions of dental students, faculty, and graduate students on the development of a sense of touch in dental practice. Eight focus groups were held: four were comprised of third-year dental students (n=22), two of advanced, general dentistry postgraduate students (n=11), and two of dental faculty (n=8). Each…

This paper describes the teaching of an African American educator and her fifth-grade classroom in an elementary school in a working class neighborhood. The paper presents the results of a qualitative study of what makes the teaching of this teacher exceptional. Of the 17 students in this class, 7 speak English as a Second Language. Some are…

This study explored how and why special education policy issues were treated as they were in the formulation of Pennsylvania's charter school law, Act 22 of 1997. The qualitative study utilized formal and informal interviews of state policymakers, review of documents, review of archival records, and participant observation. Findings indicated a…

A substantial body of research elaborates and documents how practicing teachers support the writing development of young children (Atwell, 1987; Avery, 1993; Calkins, 1986, 1994; Graves, 1981; Lensmire, 1994; Routman, 2000). Yet, there is limited research about how preservice teachers learn about children's writing (Dahl and Farnan, 1998) or about…

This qualitative case study describes a portfolio program in the teaching of English as a foreign language in two Finnish upper secondary schools. Approximately 100 students participated in the portfolio program, whose topic area was culture. First, the purpose of this action research was to try out and develop portfolios in foreign language…

This project was part of the program evaluation of the Iowa Distance Education Alliance, a Star Schools Project funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Thirty Iowa high schools were selected to represent the state. Interviews were conducted with students, faculty, and administration at each of these schools; results were transcribed and…

This study compared three spelling interventions to increase the spelling accuracy of elementary students with learning disabilities. Thirty-six randomly selected third, fourth, and fifth grade students with learning disabilities were assigned to three interventions: (1) the traditional spelling procedure; (2) a multisensory procedure without…

Although museums are considered optimal venues for informal learning, this study concludes that most school classes visiting museums are restricted and structured, teachers use mainly task-orientated teaching practices, and the museum activities are rarely linked to topics being studied at school. A research-based framework to guide teachers in…

Describes a qualitative study of Miami Dade's Teaching/Learning Project designed to determine how to provide quality undergraduate education to the growing number of nontraditional students enrolled in community colleges. This model demonstrates the improved learning experience of the students as a result of collaborative institutional change. (22…

Argues that educational computing research has not kept up with the growing importance of educational technology. Examines criticisms of the research: the overtly optimistic tone permeating the majority of the literature, the avoidance of qualitative methodologies, and the distrust of a more theoretical analysis of the role of the computer in…

Qualitative research methodology was used to explore the perceptions of students and teachers participating in an interactive collaborative satellite-based mathematics course in 21 high schools. Results showed that the distance learning format gives teachers access to more resources, is useful for underachieving students, and is an effective way…

In Canada's Exemplary Schools Project, a national committee designed and coordinated 21 case studies. A committee member recounts decisions made about design and method, and highlights differences between method and methodology, as well as variations in conceptualization of qualitative research. Discusses the meaning of "exemplary,"…

A study examined young Mexican Americans' perspectives concerning their own ethnicity. Observations and focus groups with 30 Mexican American youths from a Southwest barrio indicate that respondents used racial terms to understand acculturation differences. Intense negative feelings were expressed about less- acculturated, Spanish-speaking…

Surveys the work accomplished in post-literacy in India as part of the National Literacy Mission. Argues that post-literacy has become an arena of struggle between individual and group goals. Uses interviews and discussions to explore this field. Outlines the concerns being voiced in India about adult literacy learning. (CAJ)

An expressive way of presenting forms of adult education practice was developed using a phenomenological methodology. A case study of a cross-cultural awareness course in Aboriginal Australia illustrates the textual genres used: backgrounding, sketching, poetized reflection, intuiting and distilling using metaphorical and imagistic language, and…