This digest presents definitions of 30 important terms in the field of learning disabilities. They are: accommodations, assistive technology, attention deficit disorder, brain imaging techniques, brain injury, collaboration, developmental aphasia, direct instruction, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dyslexia, dysnomia, dyspraxia, learned helplessness,…

Students today face a wide range of economic decisions. To be wise consumers, prudent savers, and knowledgeable investors, they need basic economic concepts and decision-making skills. To this end the National Council on Economic Education (NCEE) developed the Voluntary National Content Standards in Economics (1997) for students in kindergarten…

Young black males in contemporary American society face major challenges to their development and well-being. Social, cultural, and economic forces have combined to keep black males from assuming traditional masculine roles. Counselors committed to the cause of black male empowerment can play an active role in promoting developmental initiatives…

The concept of citizenship is at the core of education for democracy. This Digest presents what citizenship is; why citizenship is an essential element of democracy; and how to teach about citizenship in a democracy. In a democracy, the source of all authority (the legitimate basis of all power) is the collective body of the people, the citizens…

The digest examines conceptions of giftedness. A brief historical review notes L. Terman's work and impetus for increasingly broadened definitions since the 1940's. The 1969 Marland Report is cited and its definition of giftedness is presented. Current response to that definition's inclusion of six achievement areas (general academic ability,…

This digest is intended to provide basic information on homeschooling for parents of gifted children considering this option. Challenges and opportunities of home schooling are identified and include a large time commitment, expenses of educational resources, flexibility in providing the student with academic challenges, social considerations…

Noting that new technologies are resulting in extensive changes in the field of photojournalism, both as it is practiced and taught, this Digest reviews this rapidly evolving field of education and professional practice. It discusses what digital photography is; the history of digital photography; how digital photography has changed…

This digest makes the case for using poetry in the teaching of science. Poems can braid curriculum areas, breaking through boundaries and weaving concepts together. The digest contains a list of poets and poems on science, as well as lists of ERIC and World Wide Web resources. (MM)

This digest of information on classroom techniques for managing students with behavior problems highlights ways to prevent misbehavior; establish rules; increase student motivation for academic tasks; establish token economies; decrease unwanted behavior; evaluate the role of punishment; use timeout, extinction, or response cost; use group…

This "ERIC Digest" discusses the components of an effective educational program for students who are gifted. The paper defines the term "program" and distinguishes between programs and provisions. Eight major components of an effective program are noted: needs assessment, definition of population, identification procedures,…

Providing a basic overview of issues related to advertising and the consumer, this digest discusses the omnipresence of advertisements, suggesting ways for consumers to recognize advertising appeals. Deceptive advertising is discussed, with particular attention paid to financial advertising. (RS)

This ERIC Digest discusses various types of homework assignments and examines research findings about the effectiveness and amount of homework assigned to American schoolchildren. It also examines some of the policies presently being discussed by school districts. Three types of homework are briefly delineated: practice assignments, preparation…

This digest brings together the various views on curriculum-related roles for library media specialists. The first section considers reasons why a disparity between theory and practice exists in regard to the involvement of library media specialists as curriculum consultants. Several sources addressing this issue are reviewed in the second…

The involvement of parents in the education of their children is briefly discussed. Discussion focuses on ways to involve parents, ways to reach parents, and difficulties in involving parents. It is asserted that the suggestions offered in this ERIC Digest can help teachers involve parents who might not otherwise be involved. While an individual…

This brief analysis defines a videodisc, describes the term "interactive video" and distinguishes among three categories of videodisc systems, defined according to the level of interactivity they provide. Advantages and applications of videodisc (e.g., simulations) are noted. A final section describes selected projects focusing on the…