For online mathematics instructors, synchronous communication can be a challenge due to the need for specialized symbols, graphics, or notations to explain key concepts. While software tools exist to support such communication, they can often be cumbersome and time-consuming for users to adopt in online exchanges. As one way of addressing this…

Students can learn the value of public service by participating in service learning projects. Through a service learning component, students gain a personal understanding of the public sector and experience with current public issues. In this study students and teachers were assisted by service coordinators who arranged for students to experience…

Provides advice to campus activities chairpersons, faculty advisers, and other student organizations on how to recruit volunteers to advance organizational goals. Focuses on determining organizational needs, attracting volunteer interest, job descriptions and applications, diversity, evaluation of volunteers, and continuing motivation. (MDM)

The KIDS Consortium is a private, non-profit organization that seeks to promote, facilitate, and institutionalize the involvement of children and youth in their communities in Maine. Kids as Planners, the central program of the KIDS Consortium, gives students the opportunity to become apprentice citizens by working with adult citizens in hands-on…

Explains how a student volunteer can improve teachers' productivity, efficiency, and teaching skills. Presents a description of job responsibilities.(EL)

For young people, service to others can develop important habits and skills that help them become an asset to their neighborhoods. This guide was created to help adults teachers, parents, after-school providers, and members of community-based organizations to find and create opportunities for young people to answer President George W. Bush's call…

Describes a university course in developmental psychology in which students participated as volunteers in community services for children and families. Explains that the course requirements offered 2 options: 50 hours of volunteer work or a series of 3 papers. Suggests that the volunteer experiences helped students maintain motivation and aided in…

A wave of the future in education is the inclusion of service activities in the school program with the accompanying expansion of school/community relationships. This book considers how to incorporate aspects of service into the ongoing academic program in middle school. The book contends that all middle school educators should become…

This packet contains lesson plans with real-life service projects that students can do throughout the school year, from September 2000 to August 2001. The lesson plans in the packet provide teachers with flexibility to offer them to students as young as grade 5 and as old as grade 12. The lesson plans, although essentially social studies, service…

Outlines the six elements from educational research that enhance the value of community service programs. Summarizes three school-based programs: Community Involvement Program in Minnetonka, Minnesota; Early Adolescent Helper Program in New York, New York; and Youth Community Service in Los Angeles, California. (SLM)

Reports a New York State Education Department mandated government participation course. Course requirements were to examine public policy issues and to incorporate a participatory element. Describes four programs that were implemented by school districts: Effective Participation in Government Program; The Community Service Corps; National Issues…

Since 1999, pre-service teachers undertaking the Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) Program at the University of Western Sydney have participated in an alternate practicum called Professional Experience 3 (PE3). This practicum encourages students to engage in broader educational settings within local communities. Increasingly, a number of…

In this publication are three short articles on successful school practices. "Learning Is the Outcome; Test Scores Are Just the Measure" describes test-preparation efforts in Mesa, Arizona, public schools. The district has instituted a program to assist principals and teachers in aligning curriculum, instruction, and assessment, and in…

Describes a program in which a preservice music teacher provides instruction for an inner-city, financially troubled elementary school in Washington, DC. Presents an interview with the preservice teacher and the school's music teacher. (CFR)

Discusses a psychology curriculum with two programs for involving students in volunteer community service. Describes an elementary school tutoring within a child psychology course and a program of credit for other volunteer work in a variety of settings. Includes procedures, decisions, pitfalls, and rewards of volunteer placement. Suggests that…