Presents evidence indicating that spontaneously generated analogies can play a significant role in expert problem solving. Focuses on an evaluation strategy known as bridging that has been observed in solutions to both science and mathematics problems. Contains 23 references. (DDR)

Reports on a series of 10 guides on various methods of teaching, learning, and assessing geography in higher education published by the Geography Discipline Network (GDN). Also, reports on the production of a database of good educational practices on the World Wide Web by GDN group. Includes contact and ordering information. (DSK)

Describes teaching poetry to fifth-grade students, who are immigrants from 20 countries and who speak 11 languages. Discusses the students' responses to the poetry of Wallace Stevens and attempts at writing their own poetry. (CR)

Describes the teaching strategies used in a university summer study trip to England to investigate British primary- and preprimary-education practices. Strategies include readings, meetings, questions, observations, journals, and a culminating project. Focuses on the strategy of searching for "Miss Read," the pen name of Dora Saint, an…

Compares effects of negative feedback statements and specific directives in music-performance instruction. Indicates that subjects' attitudes and performance achievements were unaffected by type of comment: all subjects expressed positive attitudes about the experience, and the time required to reach the learning goal was unaffected by type of…

Observes that the skills of vocal improvisation and inventiveness are not usually taught or encouraged in most high school or college jazz ensembles. Discusses ways that teachers can guide students in developing basic, but authentic, vocal improvisation skills. Notes sources for repertoires that encourage the practice of improvisation. (DSK)

Presents a lesson plan for keyboard instruction excerpted from "Strategies for Teaching Middle-Level and High School Keyboard" (compiled by Martha Hilley and Tommie Pardue. Reston, VA: Music Educators National Conference, 1996). Provides objectives, materials, required background knowledge, procedures, evaluation indicators, and…

Introduces a project to engage preservice teachers in a service learning activity. Provides background on service learning and how to incorporate it into the classroom. Suggests that preservice teachers need to experience service learning so that they will be better prepared to implement service learning in their future classrooms. (DSK)

Presents the value of portfolio experiences for graduate students. Posits that, by using portfolio assessment, students take more responsibility for their own progress, and they have the opportunity to be a part of their own learning process. Provides a summary of student assessments of their portfolio experience. (DSK)

Examines the purposes of large-scale assessment programs, outlines the dangers and benefits of these assessments, considers the research evidence about the consequences of assessment, discusses how to evaluate assessment quality, and presents some ideas about the variables that influence the probabilities for good and bad assessment. (SLD)

Presents four-part empirical model for teaching and learning critical thinking. Model consists of dispositional or attitudinal component, instruction in and practice with critical-thinking skills, structure-training activities designed to facilitate transfer across contexts, and metacognitive component used to direct and assess thinking. Contains…

"Order in the Classroom" tests assumptions about what works to create a good classroom environment using longitudinal student data and information about policies in the schools the students attended. Evidence is presented that shows the true link between school disorder and student achievement. (SLD)

According to responses from 145 secondary agriculture teachers and 2,400 students, students thought instructional clarity increased when teachers actively involved them. Systematic differences between teachers' and students' perceptions (especially teachers rating themselves more highly than students did) indicate a need for teachers to reflect on…

This study investigated the effectiveness of a schema strategy on the mathematical word-problem-solving performance of four sixth- and seventh-grade students with learning disabilities. The schema strategy led to substantially improved word-problem-solving performance for all four students and these results were maintained at two- and four-week…

A survey of 209 educators taking graduate classes in general and special education examined their knowledge, attitudes, and concerns about portfolio assessments. The survey found respondents had some knowledge of and positive attitudes toward portfolios. They viewed inadequate training and support, and lack of time to design and implement…