A content-analysis examined the discussion practices recommended in postprimary reading methods textbooks published in the United States before and after 1970. Fifteen textbooks were selected and 37 topics related to discussion were eventually grouped into three categories--(1) functions of textbooks, (2) functions of questions, and (3) roles of…

This report discusses adolescent development by examining psychological research and theory and examining the process of adolescent development in the social context of secondary schools. The author functions from a base of four assumptions: (1) that the contours of adolescent experience can constrain or facilitate adult development, (2) that…

Environmental robustness is a highly dramatic, tension-producing climate characterizing the school organization; for example, strict discipline in a traditional school. To validate this theoretical construct with teachers, 264 elementary and secondary school teachers completed the Semantic Differential Robustness Scale and the School Survey. The…

The issue of school violence as well as the various public policies and school policies which have an impact on several issues are addressed in this paper. These issues are school suspensions, the distinctions between youth and adult crime, the question of who is to blame for student actions, and which institutions and individuals should be held…

This paper illustrates the Clinical Model of Parents' Awareness (CMPA) for effectiveness of teaching Chinese Americans based on a previous research finding, the Patterns of Chinese Americans' Learning Chinese Learning Environment (PCACLE). The clinical model includes eight components: (1) prepare a teacher-parent conferences; (2) present 5…

In Japan, objectives and content of high school language courses are stipulated in the National Curriculum of Japan or The Course of Study. The last major overhaul of this curriculum in language learning occurred in 1989, and it aimed at the enhancement of communicative competence and understanding of international relations. Accordingly, now…

Understanding today's Internet-based distance learning systems for effective and successful implementations is a growing interest both for researchers and practitioners. This paper clarifies the differences among the first- and second-generation Internet-based distance learning systems. A closer look is given to the key players in this area: the…

Dynamic Learning Communities (DLCs) offer an alternative approach to the traditional Instructional Design (ID) format for learning. This paper outlines the concept of a dynamic learning community as an alternative to teacher-controlled or pre-designed instructional systems. DLCs are groups of people, who form a learning community generally…

Contract learning is an alternative way of structuring a learning experience. Instead of specifying how a body of content will be transmitted (content plan), it specifies how a body of content will be acquired by the learner (process plan). Students identify problems or issues that are real for them and relevant to the course at hand, state…

Different kinds of discussion methods have been developed to help students achieve different kinds of instructional objectives. The following discussion methods are analyzed from the perspective of the role demands that they make of students and teachers: (1) cooperative learning discussions; (2) the subject mastery discussion method; and (3)…

Physical education (including special/adapted) is currently at a crossroads in its professional life. Analysis reveals that physical education professionals have failed to develop a grass-roots constituency which acts as an advocate when physical education's existence in the public schools is in jeopardy. One method which might circumvent this…

In response to legislative mandate, three proposals were developed for encouraging student participation in the governance of California's community colleges and for establishing a minimum standard regulation for local procedures. The proposals are intended to improve and enhance access to governance mechanisms, improve accountability, enhance the…

The classes of one experienced teacher of English as a Second Language were observed over four months, using principles of naturalistic inquiry to obtain a holistic interpretation of the processes of language learning and instruction. Events in the classes were found to be related through the teacher's orchestration of student performance. This…

This study examines the role of the high school as a political environment in which students may acquire experiences which contribute to the development of their political competence. The paper explains the objectives of the study, discusses the methods used, describes the schools in which data were gathered, reports the findings, and identifies…

The Student Learning Scales (SLS) were intended to supplement or replace existing college instructor performance scales, by focusing on the actions of learners and by providing students with an instrument for assessing their own learning reactions in a variety of instructional contexts. Factor analyses and validity studies were conducted to…