This article reviews relevant theory and the practical implications of measuring assistive technology outcomes of students with disabilities. Rasch Measurement Scaling, Time Series Concurrent and Differential Approach, and the Multi-Attribute Utility Model are proposed for potential use in assistive technology outcome measurement and future…

Discusses the evolution of instructional uses of technology in special education over the last two decades and the changes in thinking and teaching which have moved away from didactic instructional methods to constructivist approaches. Describes how skills instruction can be an important feature of constructivism for teaching special education…

Constructivist teachers are guided by three basic principles when teaching math to young children. They encourage students to think about their answers, conceptualize how they resolved the problem, and represent their thinking with words, pictures, or symbols. Demonstrating mathematical logic is more important than memorizing rules. (MLH)

A study examined the effectiveness of a group instructional extension of one-to-one discrete trial teaching, which involves the overlapping of trials among students along with the use of sequential and choral group teaching. The approach was demonstrated to consistently increase the correct responding of eight preschoolers with developmental…

This article reviews procedures for evaluating, measuring, and modifying noise and reverberation levels in the classroom environment. Recommendations include: relocating children away from high noise sources, such as fans, air conditioners, heating ducts, and faulty lighting fixtures, using sound-absorbing materials, using acoustical ceiling tile…

The Teacher's Report Form (TRF) was investigated over 3 years for its practical ability to track outcomes in 89 elementary students with emotional disturbances. The students whose placement changed to less restrictive settings demonstrated significant improvement on consecutive TRF's in academic performance, classroom functioning, and aggressive…

Discussion of technology assessment in schools focuses on how three school districts developed and carried out their own technology assessment rather than contracting it out. Highlights include computers in classrooms versus labs; computer trainers and teachers' needs; effects on student achievement; evaluation based on goals; authentic…

Describes action research conducted at two universities in the United Kingdom to discover how students learn in different disciplines. Results of questionnaires and focus group interviews are presented that discuss how learning takes place; different learning outcome demands of different disciplines; and differences in knowledge structures,…

A study assessed the usefulness of three measures of self-esteem in 72 British individuals (ages 17-24) with Down syndrome. Internal consistency estimates were high, but validity was only demonstrated for the Self-Perception Profile for Learning Disabled Students, supporting its use with individuals with verbal mental ages of around 7 years.…

Compared the final exam performance of two classes of accounting students based on the method of course assessment used; one class received formative assessment with feedback prior to the final exam, while the previous class did not. Findings seemed to suggest that changing assessment to a formative mode can improve students' performance. (EV)

Compared the achievement and attitudes of student library employees trained in two different ways: by instructor-led group instruction or by Web-based self-instruction. Found that both modalities performed equally and generally responded favorably to training; there were some differences in what students believed their training emphasized based on…

Proposes a framework for academic libraries to use for the reevaluation of reference and bibliographic instruction services that focuses on student attitudes and the World Wide Web. Discusses the postmodern condition that is characterized by consumerism, superficiality, and knowledge fragmentation, and considers how academic librarians can…

Discusses gender issues in science education and argues that teachers are not using appropriate teaching strategies to provide gender equity in their classrooms. Presents a study focusing on science teachers' perceptions of gender and science instruction and the cooperating teacher's role in the student teaching practicum. (Contains 46…

Reports on a statistical study of English and Hungarian teachers' conceptions of mathematics and its teaching. Distributed questionnaires to 200 English and 40 Hungarian mathematics teachers. Significant similarities emerged with both countries sharing, with similar strengths, a general conception of mathematics teaching that incorporates the…

Presents a study by the International Commission on Mathematical Instruction (ICMI) on mathematics education in different cultural traditions. Investigates problems in mathematics education including issues such as curriculum; assessment; policy; the influences of information, communication technology (ICT), and multimedia; and community and…