This book argues that teachers' active participation in policy advocacy is crucial to creating a K-12 educational system that honors the needs of students, families, and communities. The authors examine obstacles to teacher involvement in policy, analyze preservice and practicing teachers' experiences, and present a model for collaborative…

A blueprint for structuring the school environment around teacher learning and collaboration as a foundation for equitable learning and student engagement. In "Learning Together," Elham Kazemi, Jessica Calabrese, Teresa Lind, Becca Lewis, Alison Fox Resnick, and Lynsey K. Gibbons share findings from their decade of experience in…

In an attempt to understand the perceptions of educators toward the use of cooperative learning (CL) with gifted students, a survey was designed to look at the attitudes of educators from both gifted and CL associations. One hundred respondents were randomly selected from the mailing lists of four such associations; the return rate was 75%. The…

Summarizes a discussion about cooperative learning in second-language teaching by 45 teachers, highlighting six issues: how to cover the syllabus, how long cooperative groups should stay together, how cooperative learning is affected by competition in society, using cooperative learning with low language proficiency students, using cooperative…

Describes New York City teachers' emphasis on independent reading, with the rest of their reading curriculum growing out of needs identified during that time. They begin with mini-lessons, then create social supports for reading, make independent reading central and collaborative, reinforce what works, make time for solitary reading, and learn…

Presents personal accounts of one teacher's efforts to change her teaching to the teaching standards proposed by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Makes four suggestions to help mathematics teachers overcome the difficulties of changing their teaching style. (MDH)

This book describes approaches to professional development for cooperative learning and how the use of cooperative learning for teacher learning is leading to new insights into professional growth in schools. Part 1, "Begin with the Teacher: Focusing Professional Development for Cooperative Learning," offers "Introduction:…

The case for multiage education is examined and an effort is made to provide answers to the most commonly asked questions about its implementation. The questions are organized into eight groups. The first group tries to clarify the concept of multiage education and its components. Concepts such as multiyear placement, looping classrooms, split…

Describes how to create a quality learning environment by setting tone and context, using cooperative groups, and setting up success for students. Outlines a thematic unit on fairy tales which can be used in a faculty workshop to model new beliefs and skills associated with writing programs. (MG)

Using a computer should be an important part of children's education. Some guidelines are provided to help parents evaluate the value of computer use in their children's school. School policies should provide for a well-equipped laboratory, a variety of appropriate software, and a way for students to network with other students. All students,…

The 10 editions of the newsletter provide a forum for the sharing of research findings, observations, instructional strategies, and opinions on subjects pertaining to college level teaching and college faculty. Multiple subjects are discussed in each issue and are often based on recent books. Among the topics covered and the issues in which they…

Several strategies are presented that have been used in computer-literacy courses and been found to be successful for reducing computer anxiety and increasing computer confidence in preservice teachers: (1) give them an overview; (2) speak in their language; (3) find the friendliest computer system; (4) have them play; (5) make the computer fit…

This document consists of the 10 issues of "The Teaching Professor" newsletter published in 1991. This newsletter provides forum for the sharing of research findings, observations, instructional strategies, and opinions on subjects pertaining to college level teaching and college faculty. Multiple subjects are discussed in each issue and are often…