Discusses remote sensing technology use in teaching elementary school students about science and social studies. Reviews findings dealing with the use of remote sensing and considering children's abilities, teacher training, computer applications, gifted children, and sex-related differences. Concludes that children as young as grade three can…

Describes the Canadian Space Resource Centre, a clearinghouse for space-related material for classroom use. Explains that the facility has resources from the Canadian, U.S., European, and Japanese space programs. Discusses resources, including videotapes, slides, curriculum and lesson guides, and print material. (SG)

Discusses student responses to a fourth grade teacher's efforts to engage students in social action. Indicates that most students felt they could be passive good citizens and that social action would fail anyway. Argues that schools need to promote active citizenship. Examines an alternative model of citizenship education that promotes individual…

Explains that Canadian general education is intended to prepare students for community college, whereas advanced education is meant to ready them for university study. Offers 25 strategies for teaching on the general level. Argues that the tips can improve the teacher student relationship and make any subject more interesting and enjoyable for…

Discusses some of the current problems facing Quebec and the debate over news coverage of those problems. Reports that Quebec's schools will receive increased funding and undergo a three-year reform. Describes local school boards' continuing financial problems and controversies surrounding the handling of school funds. Examines young Anglos'…

Discusses the plan to restructure northern Quebec's landscape through the James Bay hydroelectric project. Suggests that the project offers opportunities to study development versus preservation, federal versus provincial powers, and the conflict between business and Native communities. Explores the need to teach students to care about social…

Examines the conflict between the "politically correct" movement and educational "traditionalists." Suggests that the "politically correct" view seeks to purge sexism, racism, and economic classism, whereas traditionalists desire to inject values into education. Identifies the one-sidedness of each position. Argues for bringing the controversy to…

Describes a Canadian Indian teacher's experiences with racial discrimination. Reports that Indians are scrutinized, particularly in small towns, out of mistrust and unfamiliarity. Calls for a commitment to act on the problem. Argues that teachers must examine their own attitudes and beliefs, learn about contemporary Canadian peoples, and pass the…

Reports findings of a survey suggesting that Edmonton, Alberta residents favor a referendum before any changes are made in Canada's constitution. Explains changes proposed by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. Examines plans for House of Commons reform, aboriginal self-government, economic union for Canada, worker training, immigration, and other…

Examines the cooperative learning approach to elementary and secondary school history and social science instruction. Defines cooperative learning. Explains that students work in small, heterogeneous groups, in positive interdependence and are accountable both as individuals and group members. Provides details for teachers on how to get started.…

Discusses the group investigation teaching model, which combines inquiry and cooperative learning. Identifies the steps of group investigation as (1) establishing a focus, identifying subtopics, and forming groups; (2) planning the investigation; (3) carrying out the investigation; (4) preparing to share; (5) sharing; and (6) evaluation. Offers an…

Offers several strategies for implementing cooperative learning in the classroom. Suggests sample exercises including (1) a scavenger hunt; (2) a reaction wheel; (3) cooperative brainstorming and classification; (4) a "pair of pairs" exercise; and (5) a three-step interview. Explains that the examples are starting points that have been used in…

Offers a group exercise for teaching students how to achieve consensus concerning rank order. Explains that students are assigned to rank the incidence of animals biting their own species in New York City. Reports that the teacher chooses a group member to explain the group's ranking. Identifies evaluation methods for the exercise. (SG)

Compares cooperative learning with earlier educational reforms. Suggests that cooperative learning succeeds where others have failed because it incorporates well-developed theory and research with support for teachers over an extended time. Discusses the good fit between cooperative-learning approaches and social studies instruction. (SG)

Cites research underscoring cooperative learning's value in global education. Examines the nature and structure of cooperative learning and describes the strategies of conflict analysis, reversals, and case studies. Explores the evaluation of and some of the limitations of case studies. Argues that a cooperative approach to global studies can…