This article describes the evolution of an alternative approach to the traditional lecture method. Students accept the major responsibility for their own learning. Diagnostic testing, supplementary materials, peer help, study guides, retest provisions, and short lectures on common difficulties are the major components of the program. (LS)

Women living in homogeneous, as opposed to heterogeneous, residence halls described themselves as more intellectual, more content, and more exuberant. Grouping students according to commonality of curriculum appears to suggest that supportive, growth-enhancing environments can easily be established without undue involvement by the staff. (Author)

The academic achievement of honors students living in an honors unit was compared with that of honors students living in other residences. Being a resident of the general honors unit was not a significant factor with respect to an honors student's grade point average. (Author)

Interactions between 10 elementary students with moderate/severe mental retardation and their peers and instructors were observed during physical education classes. Subjects generally interacted equally with peers with and without disabilities; when significant differences existed, the structure of the class was found to be the cause. Homogeneous…

Discusses the use of small groups for instruction. Topics include the composition of groups, the role of the teacher, choice of topics, and evaluation of students. (PCB)

The current debate about boys' education risks taking us back decades in terms of understanding the significance of gender in relation to education. Of particular concern here is the tendency within such debates to rely on dichotomous understandings of gender which reinscribe essentialist understandings of both "girls" and…

This qualitative study explores how male students from different racial backgrounds experience racial diversity within racially diverse or homogeneous friendship groups. Based on an inductive analysis of purposive interviews, the author found that diverse friendships among men may result from both an attitude of intentionality with regard to…

Research employing the Technology-Rich Outcomes-Focused Learning Environment Inventory (TROFLEI) was conducted in Australian secondary schools. A sample of 4,146 students from 286 classes responded to the TROFLEI which assesses 10 classroom environment dimensions: student cohesiveness, teacher support, involvement, task orientation, investigation,…

In meta-analysis, the usual way of assessing whether a set of single studies is homogeneous is by means of the Q test. However, the Q test only informs meta-analysts about the presence versus the absence of heterogeneity, but it does not report on the extent of such heterogeneity. Recently, the I[squared] index has been proposed to quantify the…

A study investigated whether semantic mapping is more effective for poor readers instructed in a small group of poor readers or in a class of students with mixed reading abilities. Students in five fourth-grade classes served as the control, receiving no semantic mapping instruction. Subjects, 39 fourth-grade poor readers, were presented semantic…

This literature review concerns the concept of alternative grade configurations at the elementary level, in which elementary schools are subdivided into primary (K-2) and intermediate (3-5) units. Because of the paucity of literature on this concept, the major part of the report focuses on the reorganization of the elementary schools of the South…

In order to determine if homogeneous grouping in basic expository writing classes makes teaching more effective, 2,212 incoming college freshmen were given a two-hour essay placement examination and divided into four groups according to the kinds of writing problems they had. They then enrolled in sections designated by placement group, except for…

Observed the decision-reaching and leadership behavior of children in same- amd mixed-age triads by coding their verbalizations in arriving at a consensus for their preference ranking of eight pictures. (HOD)

Argues that current grading practices in some schools lack consistency in several critical areas, including criteria for failure, absolute or relative standards, and motivation of slower students. Policies are suggested that will help educators develop fairer and more humane marking systems. (TE)