Describes two courses utilizing modern American fiction, poetry, and drama in which vivid depictions of the disasters wrought by excessive drinking are found. Posits these as examples of how literature that addresses problems related to drinking and alcoholism can be used in a focused way in alcohol education. (LKS)

Describes development and implementation of a school-based substance abuse preventive intervention "systems approach" strategy. Interventions are selected and linked to existing school program/personnel components for reinforcement based on local needs assessment survey data. Modifications are ongoing corresponding to the results of a substance…

Assessed high-risk individuals' subjective awareness of legal intoxication and ability to drive, and objectively quantified their blood alcohol levels and driving performance. While subjects were able to recognize legal intoxication, one-third of the subjects were still willing to drive after becoming intoxicated beyond the legal limit to drive.…

Reports results of a survey of 50 accredited physician assistant programs regarding their substance use/abuse education: curricula, legal and ethical perspectives, and teaching methodologies. Traditional teaching methods, general biomedical concepts, and treatment modes and outcomes are emphasized, while developing students' multicultural…

Reports results of a survey of 89 graduate students using criteria taken from popular literature describing the adult children of alcoholics (ACOA) category. No empirical support is found for the ACOA category as defined in popular literature (no significant differences in how ACOA students and non-ACOA students responded to items that are…

Reports results of comparing two screening instruments designed to identify youth with substance use problems. For one out of five youths, the two instruments gave different diagnoses. The instruments do not predict adolescent problems or substance use over time substantially better than a simpler measure of the frequency of substance use. (LKS)

Evaluates a program designed to introduce educational uses of computers to teachers and to facilitate their integration into classroom activities. The model involved teachers in a school-based action-research project supported by visits from resource personnel with clusters of teachers attending two meetings to evaluate experiences, share ideas,…

Examines the need to match teaching processes to cognitive aspects of learning and motivational dynamics of learners within the context of computer assisted instruction (CAI). Discusses how theories and empirical findings of research on motivation can be integrated in a formal model in order to describe and predict motivation within the framework…

Describes a study that evaluated the impact of information technology on the role of seven high school principals. Findings suggest that the introduction of a management information system into the school resulted in changes in the clerical, managerial control, and strategic aspects of the principal's role. (Author/JKP)

Describes a study to determine whether attitudes toward hypermedia were changed in prospective and practicing teachers as a result of enrollment in a hypermedia in education class. Results indicate that an enriched unit of instruction on hypermedia can affect students' varying attitudes toward hypermedia. (Author/JKP)

Examines attempts by environmental educators to adopt computer-mediated communication (CMC), primarily computer conferencing, to enhance instruction. Discussion includes the advantages of online communication, common technical and training problems, and social considerations for the design and implementation of environmental CMC projects. (JKP)

Reports on a study that examined the extent to which selected computer-related attitudes, aptitudes, and interests have similar predictive value for the retraining of elementary versus secondary school teachers. Having participants experience ways in which computers can be useful for them provides a framework for learning and understanding…

Investigated whether program type or content have an effect on middle elementary school children's software preferences and whether gender differences surface when children choose software programs of different type and content. Analysis indicated that children, regardless of gender, preferred a drill and practice mathematics program over the…

Describes a computer system (SPECIAL) that allows for the capture and playback of audio and slides from a lecture. SPECIAL provides random access to both audio and slides, and variable speed control of audio. Testing shows that learners prefer using faster speeds and that grades are higher for participants using this system rather than a textbook…

Describes seven primary grade teachers' uses of portfolios to illustrate students' literacy learning, and discusses these teachers' perceptions of the challenges and benefits of portfolio use. Suggests that while portfolio assessment occurs at the classroom level, only when the wider environment supports and is synchronized with the efforts of…