A multiple, embedded case study research design was employed to describe and explain the case method pedagogy used by two veteran practioners. The units of analysis were two graduate courses, one a teacher ethics course and the other a business policy course. Information was gathered utilizing precourse and postcourse interviews and a…

This digest defines the concepts of "whole language,""learner-centered," and "participatory," and discusses their application to adult learning in ESL literacy programs. All three approaches advocate that the learner should inform literacy instruction with his or her own particular input, that learners and their…

The benefits of Internet activities for teaching of foreign languages, for example the use of e-mail as a non-threatening environment for language output, and using the Web to integrate language and culture, have become apparent in the last few years. This paper describes WebCT as a user-friendly integrated Internet environment for the teaching of…

An ethnographic, multiple case study research design was used to examine factors that support a successful high school distance education program. Three classrooms from different high schools, each taking the same nationally-offered distance education physics course during the 1994-95 school year, participated. The course was delivered live, via…

The first of two articles in this issue of Policy Briefs focuses on the potential of modern technology to transform education in terms of what is taught, how it is taught, and how the educational enterprise is managed. Judson Hixson and Debra Beauprez center their discussion around five categories of issues that have emerged from this increased…

This is a digest of a monograph that explores recent theory and research on the importance of college students' effort and involvement in promoting positive college outcomes. An opening section introduces the issue noting that institutions must work to create a climate in which all students feel welcome and able to fully participate. At the same…

This program, for grades 4 through 12, introduces students to the concepts that result in cooperative work for the survival and improvement of the quality of life of the human family. In addition to the teacher's guide presented here, the program comes with a music video recorded in seven languages, reproducible pages, a class simulation game, and…

This paper discusses the case study method of instruction and its application to the teaching of English for special purposes in university business schools. Students are given cases adapted to their level that allow them to solve business problems, such as contract negotiations, while improving their English comprehension and communication…

This paper describes a shared leadership, quality improvement team approach to classroom management in elementary school classrooms that is similar to the quality and school improvement approaches which are increasingly available to school personnel and community leaders. Contents outline a model approach to cooperative classroom management among…

This manual is written for adults working in the schools to organize student governments. It is based on the experience of the Youth Action Program (YAP) of East Harlem (New York City) in organizing and developing student leadership. The manual is divided into 10 sections. "Student Government: Leadership and Purposes" explores the…

This guide describes program elements considered essential to any successful collaboration between families and schools. Initial contents offer a brief discussion of the basic types of parent involvement and the benefits of and barriers to effective parent involvement programs. The guide then focuses on ways to insure that necessary program…

By providing definitions of key concepts, outlines of major models, and practical suggestions for classroom implementation, this pamphlet gives teachers access to current research on the interactive model of reading. The topics covered include: Vygotsky's learning theory, metacomprehension, prior knowledge, chapter mapping, cooperative learning,…

Redefinition of the student role and teaching conditions that may be necessary to create such a role are discussed. The author integrates the ideas in three papers: (1) "Understanding Intelligence: What's in It for Educators?" (Robert Sternberg and Richard Wagner); (2) "Academic Work" (Walter Doyle); and (3) "Motivating…

Four general types of literature related to school effectiveness are reviewed in this paper and the more consistent research findings synthesized. The literature types considered are case studies (descriptions of effective schools), comparative studies (comparisons of effective and ineffective schools), program evaluations (examinations of…

Guidelines for establishing and implementing residence hall unit agreements with college students are presented, based on the experience of the University of Maryland, College Park. These agreements or social contracts are drawn up by a floor/unit of residents and are put in writing to define for that unit the acceptable range of behavior in a…