Presents a learning activity encouraging students to obtain a greater understanding of the relationship between symbols and the apparent dimensions of political phenomena. Students design symbols to represent objects, activities, issues, or meanings. Includes a list of student symbolic representations of law and justice issues. (MJP)

Provides an in-depth look at the National Standards for Art Education and attempts to correct some of the misconceptions associated with them. Articulates a number of the objections and concerns regarding the standards. Answers each objection with a thoughtful response. (MJP)

Describes the Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers to Use Technology (PT3) at the University of Pittsburgh which includes participation by public and private schools, a nonprofit educational consortium, and industry partners. Encourages technology integration by mentor teachers and student teachers, and supports innovation, adoption, and resource sharing…

Contends that educational organizations must shift their focus from innovative online product development to a standardization of the product with an increase in process innovation and development. Asserts that an increase in process design is the next step toward developing, implementing, and refining collaborative learning, learning communities,…

This article reflects on the gap between research and practice and three approaches that might be used to promote evidence-based strategies: increasing awareness; improving teacher training; and mounting a focused research agenda. A response echoes the need for research-based practice and discusses the benefits of teacher education programs…

Examines social aspects of literacy learning; presents some thoughts on reading development and literacy instruction. Suggests that teachers should promote literacy by incorporating students' interests in their activities. Developing chat rooms, posting messages on the Internet, and making a radio play for younger students all provide meaningful…

Outlines a thematic approach to a U.S. history survey course that focused on the struggles and achievements of women. Covers cultural images of femininity and beauty as well as political and economic issues. Includes brief biographies of Eliza Pinckey, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Alice Paul. (MJP)

Describes a course on adaptive technology for people with disabilities that is taught via the Internet from the University of Washington. Highlights include instructional tools, including a text, videotape, electronic mail, and a World Wide Web server; class discussions; assignments; field experiences; access issues; and pros and cons of this…

Defines the role of the music specialist in designing and implementing a discipline-based music education program. Discusses team teaching and other collaborative efforts between the specialist and the classroom teacher. Includes a discipline-based teaching checklist and selected readings for thematic teaching. (MJP)

Examines specific approaches and strategies for teaching discipline-based music education (DBME). DBME incorporates history, aesthetics, and criticism into traditional music education. Discusses creating a DBME unit, what questions to ask, and what resources to use. Includes a sample approach. (MJP)

Reports on a study that contrasted learning outcomes of students in a class that incorporated computer assisted instruction (CAI) exercises with those of a lecture-only class. Students in the lecture-plus CAI class scored higher than those in the lecture-only class, specifically regarding material covered in the class. (MJP)

Provides a rationale and lesson plan for incorporating geography and art at the K-4 level. The lesson plan features a landscape painting by George Innes, a simplified chronology of his life, as well as a template of questions about the artist and the spatial significance of the painting. (MJP)

Introduces a simple student-centered activity that can effectively complement a traditional lecture by encouraging group discussion and reflection. Students orally review the lecture in groups and submit summaries to the lecturer that are ultimately compiled into a course review. Discusses the benefits of this practice and students' responses.…

Recommends turning some of the more tedious aspects of elementary instrumental rehearsals (particularly playing scales) into games. Describes a number of educational games that can be constructed around these activities, including a "Wheel of Fortune" parody. (MJP)

Reports on a teaching method that combined assigned daily newspaper readings with weekly informal journal writing to teach basic sociological concepts. Assigned journal topics acted as a link between class material, the newspaper stories, and other texts. Student response was overwhelmingly enthusiastic. Provides several examples of the journal…