Consideration is given to using the branching strategy to teach mathematics to children with learning disabilities, or any elementary school child having difficulties. Branching involves altering instructional goals and expectations for students based on developmental levels, learning characteristics, and sensory needs, and changing the antecedent…

Explores the concept of language awareness (LA) in relation to the acquisition of two languages by young children, examining the bilingual development of two toddlers and factors that affect bilingual development and outcomes. Suggests that communicative intent, rather than traditional tests, is a key variable in determining how LA is to be…

Presents steps taken in designing, justifying, and implementing an experimental study designed to investigate the effectiveness of distance education as a methodology for developing thinking skills. A discussion reviews major findings of the study by comparing student experiences from multimedia distance education and student experiences from…

Examines individual and classroom-level differences in motivation and strategy usage in science students. Results suggest that ability-focused practices are related to low levels of motivation, poor self-esteem, and lack of confidence in science ability. Conversely, learning-focused methods and activities in classrooms resulted in increased…

Maintains that group activities in the classroom can be beneficial both socially and academically for students. Presents a six-step plan for helping students develop social skills while working in cooperative groups. Discusses classroom management, grading, and lesson structure issues related to cooperative learning. (CFR)

A case study assessing a psychogeriatric service in the United Kingdom is evaluated. The methodology, combining naturalistic and scientific approaches, was found to be useful in extending access to decision making and improving information, but it was expensive to support, requiring high commitment and willingness to compromise from all…

Explores pluralism and the expanding community through a brief examination of the community-mural movement in the United States. It looks at the recent history of mural painting and discusses examples of community murals that deal cogently with multicultural themes. The implications to educational practice are also discussed. (GLR)

Describes a study in which two groups of students read the same case study presented either in paper form or on a computer using visuals and decision paths. Concludes that the students using the computer version performed somewhat better at choosing the correct final memo paragraph but that neither the computer nor the traditional method was…

Shows the importance of teaching reading in the content areas. Recognizes that integrating reading and writing in mathematics, science, and social studies greatly enhances students' ability to understand and process expository text. Provides specific strategies for incorporating reading and writing in the content areas. (RS)

This article reviews the literature on interdisciplinary approaches to training infant specialists and discusses the challenges of implementing such programs. The Interdisciplinary Infant Intervention Program at Temple University (Pennsylvania) is described as an example of how these challenges can be met. Challenges identified include…

This article defines three types of directives (follow-in, redirectives, and introductions); describes their various uses in early language intervention; presents two conceptual models for the role of directives in facilitating or inhibiting language development; and discusses issues concerning use of directives in intervention. (Author/SW)

This study examined notes taken by 29 undergraduate native and non-native speakers of English during a lecture on commercial law. It found that native speakers took more detailed notes and more accurately recorded the hierarchical structure and principal elements of the lecture than non-native speakers. (48 references) (MDM)

Determined if college students learn better when using lecture/CAI than by using the conventional lecture method to present visually oriented material. Results indicated no significant difference between the test groups in amount of learning; also, it took longer to present examples to the control group than for the treatment group to absorb…

Offers a brief history of the teaching of expository discourse. Defines explanatory speaking, identifying its relation to informative speech. Presents a pedagogy for explanatory speaking, built on the classical rhetorical tradition and contemporary research. Describes implications for teacher training, student study skills, and assessment of…

This account of teaching regular and gifted students is based on a university education professor's return to the classroom. Discussion covers: the value of teaching without textbooks, compacting the curriculum to allow students to pursue their talents, and combining affective and cognitive content within the curriculum to promote student growth.…