Examined the effectiveness of cooperative, competitive, and individualistic interaction patterns in promoting acquisition of science process skills during biology laboratory activities. Results (from 720 secondary students--352 girls and 368 boys) show that competitive interaction was superior to cooperative and individualistic interaction…

Although the basic objective of providing some local support services for Britain's Open University students has been met, some feel that the services are not operating optimally, and there is no direct evidence that the services achieve their stated goals, including reducing attrition, enhancing achievement and satisfaction, and giving academic…

Highlights are offered of one district's 7 years of experience with a Walkabout program. Steps found to accelerate individual effectiveness among adolescents include building confidence, responsibility, attitude, and skills. These steps have also been appled to adults in seminars for teachers and administrators, a school improvement process, and…

Described is a community experience activity, utilizing independent study, which was implemented in a secondary alternative school in Canada. As a result of an initial visit to the local community, students had to come up with a product (e.g., an essay, arrange for a guest speaker to come to class). (RM)

A learning system is a logical arrangement of learning experience progressions designed to improve the relevance of educational topics to the individual student, using such strategies as pre- and post-assessments, recycling activities, learning laboratories, small and large group meetings, and independent study. (MB)

Under individual reward conditions, sociometric groups were found more likely than random groups to function outside the classroom, whereas under shared reward conditions both types of groups were equally viable. Working in groups did not affect subsequent individual test performance; however, on a joint project, teamwork resulted in better…

A study was undertaken to ascertain the extent to which programed instruction is capable of developing creative behavior. Students were taught creative problem solving using programed instruction alone and using programed instruction with an instructor. The results showed that the instructor-taught groups were superior on various tests of creative…

Reports on some growth points in the use of microteaching techniques. (Editor)

The Independent Study Program (ISP) at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry is described and its objectives specified. Data are reported for measures of achievement, personality characteristics, and academic-professional experience. Costs and faculty evaluation of the program are also given. (Author/LBH)

A personal view is offered of a recent development in teaching English Medieval Studies at the University of Exeter in which the entire curriculum was reconstructed to deal more effectively with the character and needs of the undergraduate in the 1970s. (LBH)

This book provides a perspective on what standards for learning mean for daily practice in public education, offering teachers and administrators a four-part structure for organizing classrooms for teaching to the standards and giving teachers specific strategies for helping students reach the higher requirements. The four practices combine all of…

Case study teaching has gained a strong foothold in science education. The author discusses: (1) variations on methodology, from whole class discussion to the jigsaw approach; (2) an increase in educational resources on the topic; (3) over a thousand studies that show improved learning when case studies are used; and (4) a survey that illustrates…

This computer program offers comprehensive English lessons for grades 3-4, focusing on usage and punctuation. Lessons are targeted to specific skills, and children earn tokens to play eight logic and action games. The program features imaginative graphics; teacher-approved, step-by-step lessons; individualized instruction tailored to the student's…

This paper introduces the subjectivist teaching/learning paradigm (STP), which uses students' social and cultural enculturation processes to structure affect-laden constructivist learning experiences focused in the subject area being taught. STP uses powerful learning experiences to promote two goals: enculturation into the subject area and…

This study examined teaching methods used by homeschooling families. Interviews were conducted with parents from three homeschooling families who used a variety of teaching methods. Researchers collected information on children's ages, number of years of homeschooling, teaching methods, and curriculum choice. Respondents described how they chose…