Presents a notebook or list of 20 ideas that could be used in the language arts classroom to further students' interest in literature and writing. Explains, for instance, how students might write a monologue about or to a character who is upsetting or dismaying them, or how students might collect 10 quotations describing a character. (TB)

This study investigated whether undergraduate non-native speakers of English had difficulties comprehending information in a science lecture whose discourse organization went beyond a basic problem-solution structure. It found that the comprehension difficulties of the non-native speakers were also found among many of the native speakers. (25…

Offers advice on how to obtain grant money for libraries. Highlights include outcome-based goals; finding funding sources; and parts of the proposal, including the need or problem statement, objectives, methods, evaluation, budget, and program continuation. A sidebar lists 10 tips for winning grants. (LRW)

Discusses the link between the theoretical principles of constructivism, the practice of instructional design, and the practice of teaching. Defines constructivism, lists three primary principles of learning and understanding, identifies eight instructional principles needed for the design of constructivist learning environments, and presents a…

Introduces epistemic game theory as a framework for thinking about the design of "constructivist" learning environments, and offers examples and suggestions for epistemic games in classrooms. Discusses epistemic complexity, epistemic game theory, the development of epistemic fluency, and the role of technology in the development of…

A study analyzed the content of 200 instruments used in student evaluation of college classroom teaching performance. Three specific kinds of flaws were examined: ambiguous, unclear, or subjective evaluation items; ambiguous, skewed, or unclear responses to evaluation items; and items that did not characterize classroom teaching performance. (MSE)

Discusses the problems of a live Internet demonstration and describes guidelines for making a canned presentation. Highlights include organization, slides, paper handouts, presentation software, screen images, electronic text and graphics, local copies of home pages, editing, exploring services, and testing performance. (AEF)

This study reviews a representative sample of recent studies that dealt with the effectiveness of text-based or teacher-based analogies in learning science concepts. The purpose is to provide a synthesis of the findings and to present implications for teachers and researchers in science education. (LZ)

Investigates whether traditional academic tutors hired to work with underprepared university-level student athletes could learn to implement a strategic approach to tutoring. Indicates that tutors substantially changed their tutoring to include both cognitive and megacognitive learning strategies as well as subject materal. (Includes 27…

Proposes a practical definition of "interdisciplinarity" that reduces some of the uncertainties surrounding the term and focuses on its essential attributes. Indicates that "interdisciplinarity," the uniting of distinctive components of two or more disciplines, involves interdisciplinary knowledge, research, or education as its main objects of…

Examines the relationship between the teaching style and emphasis on environmental objectives of geography teachers, and the environmental consciousness of Hong Kong students at school-leaving age. Overall, the highest level of student environmental consciousness was related to a mixed teaching style and pattern of emphasis. (LZ)

The clinical performance of junior hospital staff concerning the management of patients with acute abdominal pain may be enhanced by placing greater emphasis on teaching clinical decision-making skills during the preintern year. Final year medical students took part in a teaching session in which groups of six to eight rotated through six stations…

Aims to report the number, content, and quality of literature on teaching tools for health professionals. Results of a literature search are reported for texts and research articles. A scale for "user-friendliness" was developed. Recommendations are made for improving retrieval and comprehension of literature on educational tools for health…

Offers 12 tips for effective electronic presentation. This article is intended for readers who may be considering using electronic presentation for the first time. Offers reasons for its popularity and occasions when it may be used. The tips offer assistance in the design and presentation of electronic material. (LZ)

A professional support personnel evaluation model is presented that is grounded in sound evaluation theory and conceptualized in research as well as practice. Validity, reliability, and utility are acknowledged in the seven steps of an evaluation model that balances institutional and individual needs. (SLD)