Why are some students more likely to succeed in or fail mathematics than their peers, in spite of similar learning opportunities? Frequently such differences have been framed within liberal or even conservative discourses that identify purportedly innate dispositions, such as the ability or intelligence, as the root of differential success.…

Based on Maslow's characteristics of a "peak experience," 162 students in three introductory psychology classes and one personality class were asked to write a two-page paper describing a personal "peak experience." Papers were graded based on adherence to requirements, ability to apply Maslow's construct of the peak…

Arguments commonly made against distance education systems and the merits of these contentions are considered. It is suggested that when plans to establish a distance teaching university are announced, a common reaction is the view that it will never work. The conduct of distance teaching, which is visible in printed materials and audible in…

Most small, rural schools are not equipped to provide each and every student with an education which provides students with learning experiences that are necessary for the development of basic academic and non-academic skills. Therefore, small, rural schools need to identify and utilize the various human, natural, and social resources which…

Used video technology to help social work students in aging see, hear, and feel a pertinent issue in social gerontology. Students involved in self-directed experiential learning situations with an older person documented these situations on videotape. Learner and subject together became teachers, communicating their understandings and perceptions…

Presents "fail-safe" lessons for emergencies and substitutes. Describes an experimental design with six steps, designed to help teachers teach students some things about themselves, such as whether boys are better spellers than girls. Offers other examples from the classroom. (EL)

The Carnegie classification system has served as a framework for research on colleges and universities for more than 30 years. Today, the system's developers are exploring criteria that more effectively differentiate among institutions. One approach being considered is classifying institutions based on students' educational experiences. This study…

Describes how to help children comprehend what they read using an experience-text-relationship method of discussing and reading class material. (MKM)

Outlines a method for conducting a rural cultural-landscape field project. Notes that this activity is especially useful with students whose life experiences are primarily urban. Describes a cemetery survey, a small town reconnaissance, and rural land and building survey. Provides examples of student generated materials. (KO)

Maintains that geography teachers have a history of ignoring John Dewey's assertion that students' experiences are the best springboard to learning. Describes a set of lessons designed to serve as an introduction to a world geography course based on the concept that students begin with themselves. (CFR)

Suggestions for helping students learn to write in a foreign language are offered. Areas for the teacher to consider include recognizing students' basic needs, rewarding risks that students take, listening for content before correcting, introducing vocabulary and usage, and writing with the students. (12 references) (LB)

In the quest for engaging, effective literacy instruction, the author argues that elementary reading instruction should balance systematic skills instruction with rich children's literacy experiences and opportunities to learn how to read and write. He posits that engaging and effective primary grades classrooms are very positive places where…

Instructional immediacy is an established communication strategy that teachers can implement to create engaging learning environments. Yet, little is known about experiences distance education learners in graduate study programs have had with immediacy. This article presents findings from a qualitative research project designed to explore…

In Los Angeles, racial demographics have changed radically in the past 30 years resulting in inevitable tensions in the school. This paper reports on a classroom simulation of ethnicity/race and class relations. Students adopted the roles of three polarized and rigid "color groupings": (1) Greens--ruling class, wealthy since birth; (2)…

This study examined instructional practices previously found to have improved student academic performance, the extent to which undergraduate students preferred these practices, how often they occurred in the classroom, and the relationship of these practices to grade point averages, motivation, educational preparation, and retention. A survey was…