High school teachers who engage students through active learning in their classrooms can more fully understand this instructional practice by examining the theories and strategies underlying the cognitive perspective of educational psychology, which addresses the development of knowledge in the individual mind. Two theoretical explanations,…

Placing teacher identity work (e.g. thinking critically about what it means to be a teacher) late in the curriculum of education programs could contribute to the high attrition rate of secondary English teachers. This article argues for more attention to teacher identity development early in candidate coursework to better prepare them for the…

Many free online tools exist to complement algebraic instruction at the middle school level. This article presents findings that analyzed the features of algebraic tools to support learning. The findings can help teachers select appropriate tools to facilitate specific topics. (Contains 1 table and 4 figures.)

Drawing on four decades of scientific research on human motivation, contemporary behavioral scientists contend that exceptional educators provide students with a contextual sense of their intrinsic worth by creating academic environments that engage three overarching human needs: "autonomy," the freedom to make choices and determine one's future;…

In June the author completed her first full year of high school teaching. In this article, she shares her top 10 mistakes for several reasons: (1) so that other beginners will know what to expect; (2) so that teacher educators will share with candidates for licensure; (3) so that she won't make the same mistakes again; (4) so that veteran teachers…

This article argues for the use of dialogue journals as a means to engage students individually in their educational communities. Practical considerations, such as choice of form and methodology, are included.

School district personnel and college of education faculty need to consider the potential impact of younger teacher candidates produced by an increasing number of accelerated programs.

This article addresses the issue of bullying and harassment in the United States. The significance of the issue is critical. A historical perspective on the growing attention to and need to confront this social ill is presented. Seminal research related to the topic is interwoven throughout. Practical considerations in addressing the problem are…

Educators are encouraged to integrate technology into their classrooms because today's student is exposed to all sorts of digital devices in their daily life. Classroom blogging is an excellent way to use the internet for more than just research. Blogging capitalizes on student interest in the internet. When done properly, a blog can serve as an…

High-stakes testing has driven the way that educators deliver instruction. Historically, standardized testing has been in existence since the 1800s, but the impact of accountability was not recognized until the late 1970s. Science educators are trying to balance the requirements of state assessments with creative and meaningful curricula.…

Learning is a concept that is routinely used in various educational settings, and the enhancement of learning is the primary goal of many, if not all, educators and administrators. People involved in education, however, may not necessarily have extensively explored this commonly cited notion, and some may not have subsequently realized the…

In an effort to correct for perceived deficiencies in the No Child Left Behind Act, value-added models were proposed as a way to find out how much students learned in schools and classrooms throughout the school year. What has garnered much controversy regarding the value-added model, however, is the attempt to link pay and tenure to performance.…

Project-Based Learning (PBL) is an innovative approach to learning that teaches a multitude of strategies critical for success in the twenty-first century. Students drive their own learning through inquiry, as well as work collaboratively to research and create projects that reflect their knowledge. From gleaning new, viable technology skills, to…

Service learning actively engages students in the curriculum through participation in projects that meet a community need. It links the curriculum to the "real world," thus providing an authentic context for learning. Over the past two years, university and high school staff have collaborated to develop, implement, and evaluate a service learning…

Technology education, not to be confused with educational technology, has an "official curriculum." This article explores this "official curriculum" and answers the following questions; what are the goals of technology education, what should technology education look like in classrooms, and why technology education is important. This article…