Suggests that, based on a theory of situated learning, assessment must emphasize process as much as product. Several assessment examples are given, including a computer-based planning assistant for a mathematics and science video, suggestions for computer-based portfolio assessment, and speculations about embedded assessment of virtual situations.…

Israeli researchers collected stories from secondary teachers in their staff room, examining form and function of storytelling. The stories described situations where the teachers had terrible classes or students but succeeded in improving things. The teachers' stories created images of the ideal teacher and socialized teachers to those images.…

Discusses a cooperative effort to solve the articulation problems among participating institutions of higher education and to dispel the stereotypes impeding these efforts. Participants value highly the collegial exchange afforded by the project and feel that the project reduced their professional isolation. Teachers instituted changes in…

This article addresses the importance of home-school communication for students with attention deficit disorders and identifies specific areas for collaboration. These include problem assessment (differential diagnosis, determining eligibility); planning by educators, parents, and students; intervention (classroom and home management, reward…

Dozens of Australian "laptop" schools are following the lead of Methodist Ladies' College (an independent pre-K-12 school) in personal computing and are using some of their pioneering professional development models, including in-classroom collaboration, "slumber parties," and build-a-book workshops. Guidelines for implementing…

Deficits common among secondary students with learning disabilities or mathematics deficiencies are considered, along with a strategy to teach upper level mathematics, such as algebra or calculus. The strategy involves use of a mentor to help students to comprehend mathematics vocabulary, develop their own problem-solving strategy, and create a…

The Mediated Learning Program (MLP) is a comprehensive preschool curriculum for children with and without disabilities, based on theories of mediated learning, with a mediator facilitating children's thought processes and problem-solving strategies. MLP includes 19 curriculum units broken into specific daily principles or objectives used to teach…

Argues for a reconceptualization of teaching expertise based on psychological similarities of expert teachers to one another. The authors offer a prototype-based categorization model, drawn from psychological research, on which the family resemblance among expert teachers may be founded. The authors discuss several implications of the prototype…

Discusses the practice of using consensus-building techniques to promote prosocial behavior and scholarship skills. Teachers can allow numerous students to raise their hand before calling on one, thus encouraging greater participation, and have students discuss problems among themselves and work out solutions. Argues that prosocial skills and…

Reviews five computer programs and compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM) products designed to improve students' reading and problem-solving skills: (1) "Reading Realities" (Teacher Support Software); (2) "Kid Rhymes" (Creative Pursuits); (3) "First-Start Biographies" (Troll Associates); (4) "My Silly CD of ABCs" (Discis Classroom Editions); and…

Presents four case studies of fifth grade teachers who have implemented the Jasper Woodbury Problem Solving Series, a videodisc problem-solving curriculum, in their classrooms, and proposes a model for problem-solving instruction. Discusses curriculum and teaching styles before and after the studies. Teacher interview questions are appended. (JMV)

Presents an action-research approach to investigating the diverse goals and dilemmas characterizing staff appraisal activity. Describes an intervention to counter ineffective, defensive reasoning and teach two (New Zealand) principals how to think and act productively to manage dilemmas. Discusses challenges of the complex theoretical and…

Examined children's use of the representativeness heuristic with two types of decision problems adapted from research with adults--standard representativeness problems and conjunction fallacy problems. Findings on both problems indicate the use of decision heuristics in the early grade-school years, and suggests these should be the years for…

Describes the use of the children's book "Geraldine's Blanket" to promote discussion and allow the teacher to assess the children's understanding of area, place value, number sense, fractions, and problem-solving strategies. (MKR)

The types of help students sought while solving mathematics problems under the tutelage of an adult were studied for 118 3rd and 6th graders classified as high, medium, and low achievers. Sixth graders were more likely to ask for process-related hints. Other age and ability differences are discussed. (SLD)