A study examined the eliciting potential of two tasks, one for proto-imperative and another for proto-declarative communication intentions. These tasks were offered to 18 toddlers with deafness. Results indicate both tasks process sufficient eliciting potential to measure both the prelinguistic and early linguistic illocutionary force of children…

Investigates the impact of the World Wide Web instructional medium on second language comprehension during independent reading. Results of the study suggest that when teaching content through self-directed reading, the web medium can evoke better reading comprehension than the traditional print medium. (Author/VWL)

In response to an article that proposes principles for teaching extensive reading, this article suggests that those principles rely heavily on learners being responsible for their own learning, a concept that is put forth in U.S. educational contexts. Discusses why these principles would need to be altered for use in an Asian context. (Author/VWL)

Describes a reflective practice case study which involved creating and delivering a unit integrating drama, media literacy, and media production with a focus on advertising for a group of students at an alternative inner-city high school. Proposes this strategy may assist others in studies and teaching practice. (PM)

This article describes a process that teachers can use to translate information in research studies into practical lesson plans. Examples are drawn from the self-determination literature to illustrate how to identify the objective of the study, setting and materials, content taught, teaching procedure, and method of evaluation. (Contains…

This article includes a definition of grading rubrics, a rationale for their use, the benefits of rubrics, and ways to introduce rubrics to students with learning disabilities using the RUBRIC strategy. Rubric resources for teachers are listed, and common problems and suggestions for using grading rubrics are discussed. (Contains 9 references.)…

A synthesis of research on interventions designed to build reading fluency in students with learning disabilities identified 24 studies on various interventions. Results suggested that effective interventions include explicit models of reading fluency, multiple opportunities to read familiar text repeatedly, independently, and with corrective…

Discussion of the educational use of videoconferencing focuses on a videoconference in South Africa that showed the development of a puppetry production. Topics include scaffolding in the learning process; feedback from learners; assessing the use of videoconferencing, including cost issues; suggestions for using videoconferencing as an…

Conventional instruction in critical thinking may ignore the creative and intuitive functions of rationality, thereby encouraging a mechanically rote approach to textual analysis, problem solving, and problem construction. Such an overemphasis upon logical "calculus of justification" functions has epistemological weaknesses and pedagogical…

Student ratings reflect the variety and range of teacher behaviors and the instructional successes and failures. Although researchers, practitioners, and users of rating systems acknowledge their multidimensionality, it is not fully used. Understanding the context of evaluations and identifying how intended uses and audiences affect data…

Summarizes rural teachers' problems and needs related to teaching conditions, scarce or outdated materials and equipment, cultural differences, and geographic isolation. Demonstrates that the Foxfire approach's core practices are more effective than Miller's "core teaching skills in teacher preparation programs" in preparing teachers to…

Use of prepartitioned models is proposed to help students construct a meaningful concept of fractions. Partitioning, geometric shapes as fractional models, concepts related to successful partitioning, and other benefits from partitioning experiences are discussed. Sample activities are suggested. (CW)

Suggested is a format for sequencing instructional activities during the typical elementary school mathematics period to elicit better teaching and more learning. To illustrate each component of the format, a lesson on fractions appropriate for fourth or fifth grade is outlined. (CW)

Energy as an abstract concept is discussed, and the effect of using inappropriate language in the teaching of energy is considered. The storage of energy is illustrated using gravitation and the combustion of coal as examples. (CW)

Posits that historical details can lend credibility, spark interest, and establish context for elementary history instruction. Argues, however, that teachers must distinguish between factual details and major historical developments. Suggests textbooks, mastery learning pressures, and test construction practices contribute to the inappropriate use…