Illustrates how tasks can be used systematically as context for developing learners' knowledge about language, skill in using language, and teachers' ability to teach. Outlines role for tasks in language learning, identifies limitation in previous studies of tasks to promote learning, and suggests need for tasks to lead learners to integrate…

Presents three categories of approaches to assess the impact of college supplemental instruction (SI) programs on an institution: anecdotal information; descriptive statistics; and inferential statistics. For SI programs required to justify their existence, these methods include a range of assessment devices from simple testimony to rigorous…

Examined the strategies employed by 30 Israeli preschool children when identifying noncommercial print appearing in their kindergartens. Found that 5-year olds, but not 4-year olds, attended to print rather than to contextual cues. Results point to a causal role for alphabetic and phonological skills in the development of preschool word…

Describes students' reactions to a university physics class for engineering majors that was built around cooperative learning activities. Finds that student feedback supports research claims made about the learning benefits of this teaching method. (WRM)

Describes the use and effects of a continuous program for developing the instructional skills of graduate teaching assistants at a large research university. Most of the graduate chemistry instructors had positive attitudes about the project. Makes recommendations for program content. (WRM)

Describes a problem-solving lesson involving 24 attribute blocks in which students discuss relationships between patterns, colors, shapes, and quantity. (ASK)

Observes that good diction helps promote a good choral sound. Discusses methods for teaching how to properly shape vowel sounds and to properly front consonants. Includes various other considerations for teaching particular sounds and words, as well as foreign-language lyrics. (DSK)

Educators at the Center for Problem-Based Learning at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy examined the professional development needs of teachers of problem-based learning. Surveys of and interviews with teachers participating in partnership activities provided data on teacher role, problem-based learning's impact on students, and the…

Describes an evaluability assessment of the Georgia Research Alliance (GRA), a technology development program. Presents the steps involved in conducting an evaluability assessment, including development of an understanding of the program and its stakeholders. Analyzes and compares different methods by which the GRA could be evaluated. (SLD)

Presents an overview of current reform efforts in elementary and secondary science education. Discusses teaching strategies that promote scientific literacy, providing science-learning opportunities for all students, new assessment techniques, important aspects of science-teacher education, systemic reform programs sponsored by the National…

Examined the validity and reliability of the Professional Development Inventory, an instrument used in assessment centers of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). Results support the ease of use and high degree of validity and reliability of the instrument. (SLD)

The use of theatrical techniques combined with factual information creates dynamic, memorable programming on sensitive subjects while enhancing audience awareness and providing information. Psychoeducational Drama (PED) is an effective and powerful approach to educational programming. A model for PED, techniques, and uses of the approach in…

Examines the degree to which major provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Amendments of 1997 are likely to advance or retard the progress of special education reform. Implications for school psychological practice and research are described. (Author/MKA)

Suggests that music and drama offer excellent opportunities for "pleasant repetition," a practice of structures and vocabulary that is motivational and contextualized. (Author/VWL)

Relates the exploration and incorporation of Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences Theory (MI) into classroom practices. States that service-learning projects provide wonderful opportunities to put into practice the various types of intelligences, allowing students to utilize their best learning strategies to access the content area of the…