South African experiments with an intervention in university chemistry instruction are critiqued for their poor descriptions of the method, problems with research methodology and data, reliability and validity issues, and assumptions made about application of the intervention. The intervention, Academic Support Programs (ASP), taught…

Discusses issues associated with the establishment of a distance education branch of a technical institute in Qwaqwa, a new, formerly self-governing portion of the Orange Free State (South Africa). Focuses on design and utility of the system itself and on implementation of such a technologically advanced project in a Third-World context. (MSE)

A study at a South African university investigated the mathematical reasoning ability of 314 first-year chemistry students and 69 mathematics students regarding ratios and proportions in non-chemistry-related problems. Results indicated students' mathematical readiness in these areas was only weakly linked to their previous achievement in…

Argues that the integration of mainstream literacy into social studies instruction is necessary to ensure that students in urban middle school classrooms learn content. Also argues for instruction from a "multiple literacies" approach in order to validate and engage disinterested students. (CFR)

Reports on a study of the impact of a transformative curriculum in social studies among 96 11th-grade students in a New York City high school. Illustrates problems teachers face when they assume that students are making the intellectual connections expected of them. (CFR)

Reports on a study of how naive theories, age, and education relate to higher order thinking among 54 adolescents and adults. Finds that, regardless of age and education, all subjects referred to naive theories to identify causes and create remedial strategies for social problems. (CFR)

Reports on a forum of publishers with international experience producing geography textbooks for higher education. Discusses the role of textbooks, international differences in courses, impact of changes within the discipline, and emerging technologies. Outlines three thematic trends in geography textbook publishing. (CFR)

Maintains that philosophical concepts in geography are widely regarded as an important element in geography degrees, yet students have problems understanding them. Describes how a large lecture course was modified to promote understanding by increasing interaction between lecturer and student. (CFR)

Describes a problem-solving exercise used to develop transferable skills through student exploration of university library materials. Maintains that the study was part of a research design course in human geography. Includes six tables and two figures illustrating and analyzing the approach. (CFR)

Discusses the motivation, implementation, and impressions of involving college students in written and oral field guide contributions in two geography classes. Concludes that students learn more from participating, obtain written and oral communication opportunities, and acquire self-esteem by using the approach. (CFR)

Contends that the rapid proliferation of computer technology is dramatically improving geographic instruction. Describes how instructors can identify and access easily Internet resources using Mosaic software. Concludes that these diverse and informative materials can be used in a wide variety of pedagogical tasks. (CFR)

The InternNet Project examined applications of Internet resources for preservice teacher development. University supervisors, teacher candidates, and cooperating teachers used e-mail for communication during student teaching and internships. Analysis of participants' messages revealed the complexities of e-mail use, with interns adapting their…

This study investigated the effectiveness of introducing e-mail applications into preservice elementary science methods courses at two distant universities. Interviews with instructors and analysis of correspondence between students indicated that, despite problems of incorporating e-mail into the course, interest level in and attitudes toward…

With the teaching for understanding approach, physical education teachers can modify standard game skills to help low-skilled secondary school students focus on the important concepts and strategies shared by all net games. The paper explains how to use the teaching for understanding approach in physical education. (SM)

To effectively interact with their students, leaders and teachers in sport and physical activity must be familiar with their students' cultural backgrounds. This collection of articles discusses how women of color deal with and have been affected by their racial and ethnic identities in relationship to physical activity and sport. (SM)