This activities and techniques book was developed within the framework of a cooperative learning model. Direct instruction in specific social skills such as communication, problem solving, conflict management, group dynamics, and meeting management is emphasized. The development of thinking skills and building of self-esteem through successful…

Communication is often identified as an essential aspect of leadership, an argument that is strongly supported by research on organizational change and leader effectiveness. This paper reviews that research and argues that this area of study should be formally addressed in teacher- and administrator-preparation programs. The paper also describes a…

This paper presents a synthesis of several studies that support the hypothesis that properly scaffolded design problems lead to the types of convergent thinking and knowledge integration that have been difficult to achieve in the Computer Supported Intentional Learning Environment (CSILE) system. The focus is on a middle school science unit on…

This book offers successful teaching approaches based on college surveys and interviews with 30 professors who have received awards for teaching excellence. Chapter 1 is an overview of the challenges of college teaching. Chapters 2 and 3 consider agents for change, institutional inertia, and an historical evaluation of faculty development.…

This study examined the use of Conflict Managers, a program teaching students communication skills and the ways to apply these skills to resolve their own conflicts. Participating were 33 fourth and fifth graders from middle class families and with varying academic abilities. Of the participants, 23 were Caucasian, 4 Asian-American, 1…

This paper suggests that the mathematics teacher needs to do much reading and studying of important trends in improving the mathematics curriculum. Recommendations are made for what teachers need to look for in research studies in mathematics in order to help them recognize what would make for a quality study. Collaborative and individualized…

This book for teachers and administrators describes an approach to teaching that requires students to think, analyze, problem solve, and make meaning of what they have learned. Designed to be a companion guide to Teaching for Understanding: Linking Research with Practice, it shows teachers how to use the four critical components of the teaching…

The past two decades have witnessed increased concerns over the health and comfort of indoor air quality (IAQ), but little indoor air-related information has been targeted at building owners and facility managers of public and commercial buildings. This manual, specifically created for such a population, provides guidance on preventing,…

This report resulted from a national workshop held September 5-6, 1995, near Johannesburg, South Africa. The theme of the workshop, "Reflections on Conflict and Peace," was chosen to echo the nature and purpose of the workshop. The major papers presented include: (1) "Conflict and Peace Research Methodology" (Louise…

This paper explores the role the arts can play in peace education, an area of interest that has received little attention. Peace education is usually integrated into other content areas such as social studies, history, language, or science. The booklet emphasizes the development of imagination in art education. Students can be brought to envision…

A study examined the effect of participation in a tech prep program, specifically an applied communications course, on the problem-solving self-appraisal and critical thinking skills of secondary students. It also explored effects of a traditional English course and an honors English course on these factors. A pretest-posttest nonequivalent…

This book provides a framework for leadership in the combined fields of higher education, management, and marketing. It is divided into three sections. Section 1, "Challenges and Changes in Continuing Education," has two chapters identifying some of the current challenges. Section 2, "Leadership for the 21st Century in Continuing Education," has…

When social science students try to solve statistics problems, the two major problems that they often face are how to get "the machine" to give them results they want and problem identification. The goal of this project at Michigan State University was to provide a supplementary educational tool for political science classes through the…

A study examined a set of 78 journal articles identified as influential in technical communication (published between 1988 and 1992) and a preliminary list of 63 articles frequently cited between 1993 and 1997. The texts were organized into six topical groups: profession, rhetoric and composition, document design, social construction and…

This study compared cooperative learning with individual learning in an introductory college electrical engineering course, using attitudinal and cognitive measures. Cooperative learning activities were implemented in homework assignments in one section of the course, while individual homework assignments were used in two other sections. A total…