Classroom demonstrations of selected mechanical properties of polymers are described that can be used to make quantitative measurements. Stiffness, strength, and extensibility are mechanical properties used to distinguish one polymer from another. (KR)

Describes a classroom experiment that demonstrates under what conditions the parallel market rate approximates the free-market value of the domestic currency. Students act as foreign exchange traders in a developing country. Provides results of the experiment and discussion questions. (CMK)

Managing local environmental resources with moderately enforced government regulations can often be counterproductive, whereas nonbinding communications can be remarkably effective. The authors describe a classroom experiment that illustrates these points. The experiment is rich in its institutional settings and highlights the challenges that…

The present paper describes an educational experiment dealing with teaching the theory of formal languages and automata as well as their application concepts. It presents a practical application of an educational experiment and initial results based on comparative instruction of two samples of students (n = 56). The application concept should…

Reexamines existing research in persuasion by testing the predispositional and alignmental hypotheses. Evidence of past investigative failures is discussed and implications for future research are presented. (MH)

This publication is a systematized annotated bibliography of environmental education materials. The materials listed are grouped according to instructional methodology or format so that publications which may be used in similar ways are grouped together. Each publication is listed under every appropriate instructional category. Instructional…

Undergraduates enrolled in a Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) (Keller Plan) section of Principles of Educational Psychology at Mississippi State University were subjects in a study of the effects of no review (NR), review questions (RQ), and review concepts (RC), on short-term retention in a PSI class. The NR group received no review. The…

Of the original number of Alaskan natives entering the University of Alaska from rural and urban areas, 50% drop out at the end of their freshman year, and less than 2% are likely to receive a degree at the end of 4 years. This high attrition rate is caused by poor elementary and secondary school preparation, and strong personal feelings of…

The Select Commission on Non-Traditional Study was appointed by the State of Washington in January 1973 to explore alternative methods of providing postsecondary educational opportunities. After discussing the needs and goals for educational alternatives, this document presents methods, guidance, technology curricula, and options for developing…

Reports a classroom experiment by future teachers at the University of Iowa to compare a traditional teacher-managed method of instruction to a student-managed method. Subject matter was a data processing unit of a secondary school bookkeeping course. No significant differences in student achievement scores were found. (MF)

Presents insights resulting from an inter-generational living/learning project involving university students and older adults. Techniques are suggested for teaching social sciences with emphasis on the elderly. (Author/DB)

Many of the curricular reforms of the last decades merit continuation, it is argued, even if formal evaluations are difficult to establish. Self-regulation through internal audits and consultant review are seen as safeguards for the quality of innovative programs. (Author/MLW)

Exposure of an experimental group of (n=33) college freshmen to teaching experiments dealing with stoichiometry problems based on the concept of limiting reagent showed greater improvement in posttests than the (n=39) student control group and observed that some students protect their core beliefs by ignoring conflicting data. (Author/MKR)

Nontraditional education has the following characteristics: In nontraditional education emphasis is on the student as learner, on his achievement, and on the provision of materials and processes to expedite or promote that achievement. Less emphasis is on where, and how learning occurs. The shift to an emphasis on the learner also means that the…

This paper reports on an on-going experiment in computer-aided language instruction. In 1972, a class of beginning German students at the Duluth campus of the University of Minnesota volunteered to test two pedagogic theories: (1) Could a computer-aided course be used by a class and an instructor who knew nothing of computers and who had to rely…