Describes a study that examined the formal reasoning abilities of 147 preservice students in elementary education enrolled in a computer education course. Use of the Arlin Test of Formal Reasoning (ATFR) is explained, and correlations between students' ages and grade point averages and their scores on the ATFR are discussed. (Contains 22…

Discussion of teachers' uses of microcomputers in the classroom and the influence of preservice and inservice training focuses on a study of teachers of seventh- and eighth-grade learning-disabled students that examined the amount and type of training they had completed, their attitudes toward microcomputers, and their reported use of…

Discusses the use of microcomputer applications software in education, reviews the literature involving studies on the development of problem-solving skills and on the instructional use of spreadsheets, and describes a project for secondary school students using spreadsheets that provides cognitive support. (Contains 35 references.) (LRW)

The grade 6-7 class at St. Patrick's School in Hamilton (Ontario) engages in outdoor environmental projects to enhance classroom learning. Some student activities have been (1) worm composting; (2) tree planting; (3) restoring tern nesting areas; and (4) planning and cultivating a sophisticated garden on school grounds. (KS)

The Green Spaces Project in Lincoln County (Ontario) allows elementary students to develop habitats on or near school property to attract wildlife back to the city. Success of the project is attributed to community support and the hiring of a coordinator. (KS)

The Re-Think Tree is a simple framework to help individuals assess and improve their behaviors related to environmental issues. The branches of the tree in order of priority are refuse, reduce, re-use, and recycle. Roots of the tree include such things as public opinion, education, and watchdog groups. (KS)

An international group of experts generated a list of 14 skills and attributes of outdoor leadership. The top-rated components were (1) safety skills; (2) judgment based on experience; (3) awareness and empathy for others; (4) group management skills; (5) problem-solving skills; (6) instructional skills; (7) technical activity skills; and (8)…

Changes in our society have led to a turn toward the "greening" of North America. Classrooms are engaging in activities to create environmentally positive changes. The author's personal action plan began with the founding of the Association for Canadian Education Resources, which preserves and shares teaching tools for classrooms. (KS)

Proposes a collection of ideas and resources for "greening" the school yard as a component of the curriculum. Recommends using an acronym such as GREEN (Generate Rewarding Environmental Experience Naturally). Lists resources in Canada for ideas and assistance in planning and implementing a school project to increase environmental awareness. (KS)

The Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro emphasized the need for both the developing and developed world to work toward sustainable development. This paper reviews environmental education, sustainable development, and environmental strategies for aid donors to integrate into their programs. (Author/MDH)

Describes the design of a four-part curriculum model for integrating computer-based technology into teacher education courses. The model includes existing course content objectives, computer-based technology practices, computer guidelines, and an evaluation item. The model was applied in required courses, and students evaluated their experiences.…

Discusses technology-related competencies for teacher education programs, noting the difficulties inherent in defining computer literacy and examining the results of surveys of practicing teachers' use of and opinions about technology. The article proposes three minimal instructional technology competencies and offers suggestions for evaluating…

The article explores some of the history that has led to the current emphasis on teaching educators to use computer applications without teaching the underlying computer programing or computer science, arguing that all teachers should receive some instruction in computer science and computer programing. (SM)

Feedback is important in teaching. This paper examines feedback research in physical education, discusses factors explaining certain inconsistencies, and questions the essential role of teacher feedback in motor skill learning. Research suggests that more is known about teachers' feedback patterns than about the effects of teacher feedback on…

Reviews various approaches to physical education curriculum work. Identifies limitations of the objectives approach and highlights limitations through a literature review and a case study, which examines practical consequences of institutionalizing an objectives approach. The paper suggests that the notion of curriculum work as craft presents an…