Despite the emphasis on improving physician-consumer communication, patients, families and friends of patients, and other consumers still report frustrations during communication interactions with physicians. Some of those problems could be alleviated by more physician training in effective communication. Others could be alleviated by reducing the…

Fifty state departments of education were surveyed to determine state changes in economics education (including consumer education and free enterprise education) mandates since an earlier survey conducted in 1981 by Brennan and Banaszak. Findings, which are presented in a table summarizing the status of mandates for economics instruction in each…

Teachers at all grade levels need to recognize the importance of instruction in consumer reading and decision making skills. The definitions and prerequisites of a literate consumer underscore the importance of reading and reasoning skills development for making effective decisions. Consumer educators must also recognize that economic…

This research report examines the need for consumer education programs for preschool children and describes preschool consumer education programs. A literature review of ERIC, CAIN (an agricultural index), Psychological Abstracts, Education Index, and the Canadian Education Index was conducted. Section one of the report provides an overview of…

This report is the result of a year of research on a number of options available to individuals who will ultimately find themselves responsible for dissemination of metric information to educators and consumers. This document was prepared by the American National Metric Council (ANMC), an organization founded in 1973 by representatives of private…

Strategies for teaching life skills are presented (such as role playing). Specific topic areas covered in the course are presented (career awareness, life-style determination, budget preparation, insurance, consumer law, and investments). The author also discusses interjecting other life situations, handling student departures, and developing…

Presents a lesson strategy in which students encounter the simulated decision making situation of having to help Ferdinand Magellan plan and choose the food for his voyage around the world in 1519. It is demonstrated that this simulation combines knowledge of geography with economics, health science, and consumer awareness. (MBR)

Teachers' ideas for teaching elementary secondary school students about business, industry, economics, consumerism, and money management are presented. Class activities involving a toy automotive industry, a consumer convention, and a class "microtown" are described. (CJ)

Past and present nutrition education efforts are described and issues to be considered in evaluating the effectiveness of nutrition education are discussed. (JD)

The Saint Louis Urban Consumers' Education Project involves community resource persons in the preparation and teaching of consumerism in fifth-grade classrooms. A demonstration program supported by the Office of Consumer Education, the project has improved attendance, math and reading scores, and school-community relations. (SK)

The design and development of the Consumer Health Products Inventory are discussed. The instrument produces a valid and reliable behavioral inventory to assess self-reported use of selected consumer health products. (JMF)

An Oregon 4-H camp ran a week-long program in which 87 elementary age campers and 16 secondary age counselors operated businesses, dealt with customers, and promoted products. Pretests/posttests showed an average 8.7% increase in camper knowledge of money management skills, with 72% of campers showing improvement. Lists ideas for teaching money…

The article describes a consumer skills unit taught to visually impaired seventh graders. The unit covered advertising language and psychology, comparison shopping and label language, and budgeting and future planning. (DB)

"Living on Your Own," a high school course in Ankeny (Iowa) Community Schools, uses a team teaching approach in which industrial and home economics educators teach (1) car selection, financing, and maintenance; (2) equipment maintenance and home repair; (3) selection of housing and furnishings, insurance, and financial services; and (4) use of…

Points out that purchasers of CD-ROM products do not acquire the same rights as they do when purchasing print products. Licensing terms and agreements of 12 CD-ROM producers are examined and the making of backup copies of support software, downloading, multiple use and other restrictions, and negotiating different licensing terms are discussed.…