Describes research to develop curriculum guidelines for a distance education course in urban agriculture. The course, designed to train the teacher, is based on an eclectic curriculum design model. The course is aimed at the socioeconomic empowerment of urban farmers and is based on sustainable ecological-agricultural principles, an…

Argues that visual images can act as conceptual pegs for concepts or complicated procedures and help students perform better in the cognitive, affective, and manipulative domains of the laboratory. Conclusion was based on a study of chemistry laboratory students (N=83). (DDR)

Investigated relationships among confidence and competence and performance in variable collaborative groups of preservice elementary educators who worked to solve four mathematical problems that permitted several solutions and had varying degrees of difficulty. Results indicated that their confidence was relatively unaffected by problem difficulty…

This article highlights the necessary components of a functional behavioral assessment, a decision making framework concerning the selection of assessment and intervention procedures to be used at school, and a description of one practical functional behavioral assessment tool, the Initial Line of Inquiry, that has been employed by school-based…

Human behavior is governed by assumptions and beliefs ("theory-in-use"), yet individuals commonly explain their behavior in terms of a (different) "espoused" theory. Suggests reflective practice in counseling can only be achieved by counselors identifying their own theories-in-use through critical thinking. This task also…

Presents three scenarios that pose obstacles to teacher-librarian instructional consultation. Each situation is analyzed and draws on teacher planning research. Practical approaches for instructional collaboration are offered. (AEF)

Reports on a pilot study that examined use by sixth-grade students in Costa Rica of a mathematical microworld written in LOGO. The investigation had three phases: (1) open exploration of the microworld; (2) group discussion and sharing of hypotheses; and (3) guided discovery and problem solving. (Contains 11 references.) (SLW)

Relationships between brain-lesion location and behavior in 33 males and 31 females with unilateral lesions were studied. Statistical tests suggest that a single model can describe the relationships for females, but in males separate models of the relationships between lesion location, verbal intelligence quotient, and performance intelligence…

A framework within which college teachers can examine how they think and act in difficult teaching situations is presented, focusing on the rules that inform actions. The discussion looks at standards for professional teaching practice, exploring discrepancies between values and practice, identifying personal action strategies, assessing their…

Discusses how study teams at one Texas elementary school function in helping the individual student, and provides an evaluation of this approach based on three examples: (1) the case study team; (2) the reading study team; and (3) the quality of life team. Lessons learned from this approach are explored. (GR)

Explores the potential of the RAY learning environment in improving learning about optics. Results indicate that this environment, which includes a flexible ray-tracing simulation, had a significant effect on the spontaneous and correct use of the model by students in solving problems and a limited effect on conceptual understanding, but promoted…

Describes "authentic" problem-based learning (PBL) as a specific teaching method that addresses all the educational objectives possible with PBL: acquisition of a rich body of deeply understood knowledge; development of effective clinical problem-solving skills; and development of an insatiable curiosity and a desire for continuous learning…

Reports on student and faculty perceptions of group dynamics in problem-based learning situations. Gender differences were demonstrated in interpretation of over 50% of the questionnaire items. Contains 18 references. (DDR)

Compares two experimental programs for teaching mental addition and subtraction in the Dutch second grade (N=275). Discusses realistic program design (RPD) and gradual program design (GPD). Concludes that RPD pupils show a more varied use of solution procedures than GPD pupils. Contains 46 references. (Author/ASK)

Discussion of synchronous computer mediated communications over the Internet focuses on the opportunities and pitfalls of using graphical chat programs in education. Topics include two-dimensional and three-dimensional chat programs; distance education; problem solving groups; exploring cultural differences; language skill development;…