Describes the use of Accelerated Reader, a computer program that instantly provides scored tests on a variety of books read by high school ESL (English as a Second Language) students as free voluntary reading. Topics include reading improvement programs, including writing assignments; and changes in students' reading habits. (LRW)

Describes a senior economics seminar where the professor created his own paper along with the students to demonstrate the expected standards of effort and excellence. The components of the paper were produced in stages. Each component was tied to a specific research or editing process. (MJP)

Investigated relation of the quality of third graders' writing assignments and written instructor feedback to quality of subsequent student work. Found that amount and type of teacher feedback predicted a small, significant proportion of variance in the quality of content, organization, and mechanics of final drafts. Initial writing quality…

Notes that to be considered literate in the age of information demands functional, academic, critical, and technological skills. Contends that technology must become an integral part of English as a Second Language (ESL) courses. Describes how to use the Internet as part of a sustained content-based pedagogy to develop ESL students' literacy…

Describes conceptual model that helps explain why students drop out of correspondence courses. Student background characteristics, organizational setting and the environment, attitudes about education, and course instruction are linked with behavioral intent and lesson submission activity to determine variables that influence completion of…

Reports on a study of two introductory sociology courses to determine whether informal writing assignments can aid learning. Finds that requiring students to keep journals did not significantly improve performance on essay tests. Asserts that teachers may be justified in requiring attendance as a strategy for increased learning. (CFR)

Reports on a study that monitored and corrected the writing of bilingual Fransaskois students and immersion graduates in the same class. The study's objectives were to determine whether francophones and anglophones made similar or different mistakes and whether the two groups could be taught together without prejudice. Both groups made similar…

States that an important goal of introductory college sociology courses is to make the discipline come alive for students and to encourage active involvement in learning. Describes a student project approach in which students interview three people and analyze the data relevant to four theoretical perspectives. (CFR)

This study examined the homework practices of 48 students (ages 11-15) with learning disabilities and 48 nondisabled students. Although there were some similarities in homework practices of both groups, the students with learning disabilities engaged to a significantly greater extent in practices that interfered with homework completion.…

Describes the use of writing assignments for preservice teachers to help them reflect on the teaching and learning process in their internship classrooms. (MKR)

Discusses the role of the academic library in training undergraduate students in research methods. Highlights include changes resulting from the electronic dissemination of information; the tradition of apprenticeship, journeymen, and master; information and knowledge; electronic scholarship; layers of learning in research in an electronic…

Reports (n=16) preservice science and mathematics teachers' findings and reflections from an assignment to conduct case studies of workers from a variety of settings to investigate the knowledge and skills necessary for high school graduates to be successful in the present-day workplace. (Author/MKR)

Maintains that writing ability is vital in fulfilling geography discipline objectives of mutual understanding and emancipation. Reports on a study of the use of writing groups in college geography classrooms in the United States and Australia. Includes a student essay evaluation guide as an appendix. (CFR)

Contends that teachers can incorporate data collection and writing activities into economics classes to stimulate and enrich classroom experiences. Describes three types of assignments involving data collection and written reports designed for microeconomics courses. Includes five figures that exemplify the assignments. (CFR)

Describes the use of Margaret Wise Brown's "The Important Book" to involve students in writing about defining qualities and attributes of geometric shapes. (MKR)