Presents a lesson plan for high school students that focuses on the topic of immigration. Encompasses issues, such as the data on immigration, the history of immigration, and policies and opinions on immigration. Includes a student handout on immigration policy. This unit can be covered in approximately two to three days. (CMK)

Argues that problem-based learning (PBL) shows students that the best scientists are not those who memorize facts, but rather those who apply facts in a creative manner. Explains that the author, who incorporated group learning into a general education science course, found that PBL led to increased class attendance and participation. (Contains…

Describes the results of an assessment of the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) Initiative at Samford University in Alabama. States that surveys were sent to faculty and students in PBL and non-PBL courses. Reports that PBL students were more likely than non-PBL students to agree with positive statements regarding educational outcomes. (NB)

Describes an art project for junior and senior high school students called the wrapped chair project where students wrapped chairs using torn sheets in the style of artists, Christo Javacheff and Jeanne-Claude de-Guillebon. Explains that students created thumbnail sketches and drew their finished drawing in either charcoal or chalk. (CMK)

A peer-tutoring project in undergraduate mathematics at a university in the United Kingdom was designed both to provide support for independent learning tasks and for group projects. A survey of students found that while most liked and felt they benefited from the group experience, most also did not like the independent learning tasks. (Author/MSE)

Any overhead projector easily can be converted into a simple spectrometer by placing a piece of diffraction grating over the projecting lens. A detailed description of the apparatus and suggested spectroscopy experiments are included. Demonstrations can utilize solutions of cobalt chloride, potassium permanganate, potassium dichromate, or…

In this demonstration of the generation and combustion of acetylene, calcium carbide and water are allowed to react in a latex examination glove. Two student volunteers perform the demonstration with instructor guidance. This safe, popular demonstration, originally intended to illustrate the alkyne family of compounds, can be used with a variety…

Describes community-based programming (CBP), a cooperative process that allows community and technical colleges to address critical issues through coalitions. Provides strategies for creating effective coalitions, focusing on information that new members should know, essential leadership qualities, group rules and activities, and ways to close…

Explores students' opinions, over a three-year period, of human service education. Surveyed 172 students enrolled in an introductory human services courses. Results indicate that students were overwhelmingly positive about their experiences with cooperative learning and the increased attention offered by small groups. Many appreciated the…

This activity involves students investigating the mathematics of packaging and exploring various concepts in geometry, including area and the Pythagorean theorem. Mathematics comes out of the discussion of packaging cans into six-packs and focuses on the cost-effectiveness of the horizontal storage area used. Students learn how knowledge of…

Describes the instructional method, Client-Life Cycle GIS Project Learning, used in a course at Indiana University of Pennsylvania that enables students to learn with and about geographic information system (GIS). Discusses the course technical issues in GIS and an example project using this method. (CMK)

While working and playing together at camp, staff often work through most, if not all, of the stages of group formation, commonly referred to as forming, storming, norming, performing, and finally, transforming. Ten adventure-based games and activities are presented to help camp directors train staff and help them progress through these stages.…

Compares two delivery methods for a course in genetics and evolution: (1) studio teaching involving teamwork by students, hands-on exercises, and minimal lecturing; and (2) an interactive lecture demonstration method. Uses pre- and post-testing of basic concepts to evaluate the effectiveness of each method. Suggests that studio techniques are a…

Describes the use of a learning community where 36 first-year students cohabitated in a single hall of student housing and enrolled in the class, "The American Political System", and a first-year seminar. Discusses the course content, the benefits of the community experience, and how to improve the community. (CMK)

Evaluated effects of a reciprocal peer tutoring (RPT) intervention on arithmetic performance of 12 low-income, underachieving elementary school students. Results indicated that merely teaming students and providing them with positive attention for constructive team activities had no clear effect on arithmetic performance. RPT condition that…