Shows how to use common topics within area studies to develop important social studies skills. The example provided illustrates how to develop data analysis, data evaluation, problem solving, and map skills using the topics of bamboo and the Bhopal, India, chemical disaster. (JDH)

The role of decision making, and its import for generating social change are examined. Decision making is considered from psychological, semantic, and scientific viewpoints, and suggestions for constructive change in social studies curricula are offered. (RJG)

Presents the responses of several well-known scholars--David Bloome, Joanne M. Golden, Carol D. Lee, Susan Hynds, Michael Pressley, and Timothy Shanahan--to Alan C. Purves's criticism of educational research in the English language arts for its redundancy, its staleness, its reliance on jargon and labels, and its flawed methodology. (TB)

Discusses the use of computers in developing social studies skills. Lists social studies skills as those related to acquiring information, organizing and using information, and those related to interpersonal relationships and social participation. Includes addresses of vendors of computer resources recommended. Describes different software and how…

Shows how schools can help students navigate the Internet's complex, often disorganized information landscape and decide about important issues affecting their lives and times. Students must become "infotectives" adept at framing essential questions, planning a cyberspace voyage, collecting pertinent information, changing course, exploiting…

In most schools, the term "arts" represents visual arts (art appreciation, painting, clay, etc.), performing arts (including music, dance, and theater), creative writing, and media arts (i.e., photography, digital video, and traditional filmmaking). "Theater" and "drama" are often used interchangeably, but "theater" comprises all of the technical…

Stresses the need for elementary and secondary school students (1) to learn sources which refer to needed information and (2) to "train the brain" to think through a problem logically. Statements from several leading librarians support this focus on research skills in education. (CLB)

Discusses the development of inquiry skills as a legitimate goal for education and possible ways of using technology to support the inquiry process in classrooms. Three elements of inquiry are examined--how inquiry can be motivated, the centrality of questioning, and metacognitive aspects--and examples of classroom projects are given. (EM)

Argues that the development of scholarly skills is missing from advanced preparation in educational administration. Inquiry, analysis, and writing are essential professional skills. Weak scholarship derives from simplistic emulation of social science disciplines, equation of research with scholarship in educational administration, and the new…

In this manual, both methodological and practical guidelines for conducting field research in urban desegregated schools are discussed. Strategies for negotiating access to and studying all participants in the educational system (students, teachers, administrators, other personnel, and parents) are suggested. Fieldwork styles, philosophies, and…

Describes some of the most active school library programs for introducing elementary and secondary school students to online searching. Highlights include searches performed by librarians and students; skills acquired by students (search strategy, choosing appropriate databases, accessing information online); frequently searched databases; and…

Pinpoints three major levels of reading comprehension (literal, inferential, and evaluative) and discusses ways to develop these levels of comprehension in the subject areas through vocabulary development, the SQ3R study technique, sequencing, the cloze procedure, group prediction, modeling reading outcomes, and worksheets. Also discusses the…

Explains the I-Search model for student research, focusing on allowing students to pick their own topics; application in elementary and secondary education; helpful elements for school library media specialists to consider in selecting an information literacy model for use in schools, including adaptability and flexibility; and developmental…

Discussion of using library instruction to teach a decision-making process focuses on the importance of teaching students how to use information rather than just how to find it. Highlights include planning a research strategy, topic analysis, consideration of relevant perspectives, choice of appropriate information sources, and evaluating…

Computers can be used in a study skills program for students with mild disabilities to enhance text comprehension in content areas, develop vocabulary, organize and monitor errors of written work, and increase research skills for information location. (MSE)