Describes Maria Montessori's early learning "Casa" setting for young children and other models for educational programs for young children. Discusses the importance of setting in facilitating natural learning in young children and the five steps in the natural learning cycle--observation, participation, role-playing practice, eureka…

A survey of graduate students involved in distance education on North Dakota State University's Interactive Video Network included 80 on campus and 13 off. The instructional models rated most effective were role playing, simulation, jurisprudential (Socratic method), memorization, synectics, and inquiry. Direct instruction was rated least…

The first axiom of actively involving students is to relate activities to their own experiences, thereby engaging them on an emotional level. The Socratic seminar, a form of structured discourse about ideas and moral dilemmas, accomplishes this goal while balancing two traditional educational purposes: cultivation of common values and celebration…

When disequilibrium is integrated into the high school chemistry curriculum, students are challenged by phenomena that cause them to question previously held beliefs. They then develop possible explanations and design methods to test their hypotheses. Discovery learning encourages in-depth concept development, independent problem solving, and…

Discusses the use of primary texts to introduce students to the period of reconstruction after the Civil War. Shows how texts can be used not only to illustrate the feelings and beliefs of the time, but also to engage students in debates over the correct uses of primary sources. (DSK)

Responds to comments by David Hursh and Aggie Seneway on the author's classroom experiments with student democracy. Clarifies points from her initial article to answer questions by the commentators. Finds agreement with them on most points, except for the necessity of parliamentary debate as a fundamental element of democracy. (DSK)

Active learning modules offer secondary students the opportunity to participate in the excitement of invention before getting "turned off" by the heavy course loads required of majors in science and technology. Instead of slogging through controlled, predictable lab exercises, students can become active producers by working collaboratively on…

Argues that hands-on, project-oriented teaching offers an ideal approach to integrating Geographical Information Systems (GIS) education and training. Presents a project-oriented GIS teaching experience as an instructional paradigm that can be used to ensure balance between conceptual GIS learning and software-based hands-on training in…

Discusses an exercise that uses objects from everyday life to demonstrate to students how their personal biographies intersect with history. Encourages active engagement between teacher, students, and subject matter in a mutual quest for knowledge and understanding. Outlines the exercise, assesses its success, and makes additional recommendations.…

Describes a technique for teaching undergraduates some of the problems associated with constructing self-report delinquency surveys. Argues that the exercise, requiring students to critique a flawed survey, increases students' interest in the problems and ultimately may lead to a better understanding of them. Outlines procedures, evaluation…

Two elementary school teachers puzzled over their students' fascination with using a paint spinner to make art, and feared that the "mindless" spinner was using valuable class time in which creative activities were intended to promote innovative thinking. Years later, a former student explained how the spinner accomplished the teachers' goal. (SV)

Describes the first year of an ongoing professional-development project that engaged 37 middle school teachers in roles that promoted them as active learners and decision makers. (ASK)

Twelve learner-centered recommendations for Web-based instruction are discussed, relating to safe learning communities; student engagement; students' choice; facilitating learning; public and private feedback; apprenticing student learning; recursive assignments; electronic writing and reflection activities; student Web link suggestions; clear…

Discusses the efficiency of using lectures in medical education and explains a computer-based teaching system that aims to provide an active learning environment for adult learners. Explains the basics of the computerized audience response system and gives tips for designing similar presentation questions in PowerPoint. (YDS)

Describes how the string orchestra students of Natchitoches Central High School in Natchitoches (Louisiana) and their director commissioned the composer Jody Nagel to write a composition dedicated to their ensemble in order to increase the students' understanding of composition. Discusses student reaction to the project and use of discipline-based…