Describes a restructured elementary school in Washington state that emphasizes lifelong learning and the use of technology in every aspect of the school. Highlights include the changing roles of teachers, students, administrators, and parents; open classrooms; cooperative and traditional learning; cross-age grouping; cultural barriers; and the…

Exposes erroneous ideas related to the use of databases for teaching thinking skills. Reviews the importance of databases for teaching social studies; describes the teacher's role in helping students use databases; discusses effective teaching strategies; and outlines what is needed to teach thinking skills. (Author/LS)

Describes student-directed class model at Hampshire College, Massachusetts. Describes students' role as planning syllabus, regulating commitment, facilitating sessions, and evaluating course. Describes teacher's role as balancing intervention with non-involvement. Recommends model as way of integrating experiential learning into mainstream…

Discusses the process of future search conferences and describes one held to consider the future of school library media centers and information services in the state of Washington. Highlights include participation by students, librarians, teachers, administrators, and others; strategic and participatory planning; and change processes. (LRW)

Argues for a dialog between reductionist (task analysis and specific skill training) and holistic (constructing new knowledge through experience) philosophies in special education. Claims exclusive adherence to either approach shortchanges special education students. Discusses specific strengths and weaknesses of both philosophies. (MJP)

Presents strategies for counteracting the following barriers to classroom discussions: student nonparticipation or inattentiveness to others; teacher behaviors of initiating, soliciting, responding, and reacting; argumentative encounters; and inability to communicate mathematically. (MKR)

Focuses on the need to consider linguistic differences when planning strategies for the school dropout population. Hypermedia, a technology tool for accessing information, provides support for the necessary conditions to be met for language acquisition to take place: providing a concrete task and emphasizing problem solving, critical thinking, and…

Studies social interaction between native speakers and second-language learners by examining the native speakers' role ininteraction using data collected with microethnographic methods. Findings indicate that native speakers should be trained to interact with second-language learners and language interaction should be a goal of the class as a…

Suggested strategies for running a more effective college alumni program include effective calendar organization; careful staff utilization; administrator visibility; increased efficiency; effective use of alumni volunteers and student workers; good office communication; broad information dissemination across campus; consistent use of priorities;…

Describes the effects of one community's concept of readiness for school on children in a kindergarten class. Of particular interest was the effect on children's understanding of their roles as students. The concept of readiness provided the framework for instructional activities and helped parents understand their children's roles as students.…

Presents an interview with Phil Nyden, a professor at Loyola University (Illinois). Describes his qualitative methods course. Includes his suggestion of a group project rather than individual research projects enabling students to focus on methodology rather than substantive issues. Lists course objectives: learning qualitative methods, applied…

Examines ways in which a principal of a racially and ethnically diverse school improved harmony and respect through listening to students' opinions. Reviews how to conduct a student survey and student town meetings for the exchange of ideas. Honest dialogue is essential to any effort to improve student relations. (SLD)

The emergence of open education at the level of graduate study, characterized by more individualized study, distance education, and increased use of technology, is changing the roles and relationship of teacher and student. It will become increasingly important to acknowledge these changed physical boundaries and adjust teaching accordingly. (MSE)

Discussion of distance education in higher education focuses on guidelines and standards developed by the American Federation of Teachers. Highlights include faculty role; course design; student role; personal interaction via electronic communication; class size; course content; subject offerings; information literacy, both electronic and print;…

A series of twelve books on language teaching, written over a period of ten years, is reviewed. The series' intent is to promote the practice of informed teaching to empower student teachers to act as autonomous agents and to make considered pedagogic choices, based on sound theoretical knowledge, according to their particular teaching/learning…