Students enrolled in cooperative occupational education (COE) should achieve optimal development. To ensure this, instructors should use criteria from the psychology of education. They must strive to see that learning opportunities for COE students are meaningful; interesting; centered upon providing for individual differences; balanced among…

Many different philosophies of education have been recommended for improving the public schools. A look at the history of education in the United States shows that the one certainty is change. A perennial question is how high standards should be set. Related questions are those of aligning learning opportunities with the standards and constructing…

Learning content and ideas while learning to read should be integrated, not separate, elements. Individualized reading emphasizes that students engage in holistic reading instruction. First, a student selects a library book from among several genres. After completing the reading of the book, the student has a conference with the classroom teacher.…

This paper describes the structure of curriculum development, including scope, sequence, grouping for instruction, and providing for individual differences. It first examines the characteristics of a separate subjects curriculum and the characteristics of a correlated curriculum. Next it examines scope, which is defined as the sum total of all the…

This document contains five essays designed to help teachers and administrators improve tech prep and vocational education programs. The first essay, "Application of Psychology of Learning to Tech Prep Education and Instruction," posits that technical education instructors need to be cognizant of the following: meaningful learning; sequential…

There are selected philosophies in the teaching of mathematics which can provide guidance to the teacher in developing the curriculum and also a framework for teaching and learning. This paper discusses four such philosophies of teaching mathematics: Idealism, Realism, Experimentalism, and Existentialism. Idealism stresses that students live in an…

Seven panel members from universities presented their research and thinking on what makes for a quality spelling curriculum. The panel members took turns presenting their views on the spelling curriculum to an audience of approximately 500 parents and other interested persons. Panel member 1 placed major emphasis upon the teacher being able to…

Within the United States there are minority groups whose beliefs, values, and customs differ from most citizens. Individuals living in Mennonite and Hutterite communities are members of such minority groups. The unique qualities of Mennonite and Hutterite communities present an opportunity for students to see U.S. society from a different vantage.…

This paper presents ten principles of learning in the curriculum that help community college instructors refine their teaching techniques. The principles focus on increasing student comprehension and direct instructors to: (1) foster student interest in curriculum activities; (2) attach meaning to what they teach; (3) emphasize purpose or reason…

Spelling words correctly in a separate subject curriculum is a rare procedure of learning today. However, correct spelling of words harmonizes well with the behaviorally stated objectives movement in that either a word is spelled correctly or incorrectly. Standardized and criterion referenced tests (CRTs) stress precise learnings in that machine…

Proficiency in oral communication is necessary in school and in society. To do well in the different curriculum areas, pupils must speak with clarity and understanding. For example, in a discussion group in the social studies involving the topic "the pros and cons of raising taxes," pupils need to express knowledgeable ideas with appropriate voice…

Provides a concrete example of the use of successful incidental learning techniques in the classroom to improve science content instruction. (LZ)

Diverse issues in the spelling curriculum must be resolved. One issue in spelling involves whether students learn to spell words better from a list or within the framework of a practical learning activity. Linguists advocate that words follow a pattern in spelling, yet research studies have been used to select lists of spelling words that may have…

This paper shares ideas for creating learning opportunities in mathematics classrooms. Ideas include using single or multiple series of textbooks, markers, teacher-made materials, transparencies and the overhead projector, filmstrips, graphs, songs, money, Geoboards, drill and practice, videotapes, and technology. Mathematics learning activities…

Literature circles generally involve four or five students who are actively engaged in cooperative learning. Learners choose a library book to read based on interest. The same titled paperback might be discussed by participants in the literature circle. Alternative suggestions for literature circles include choosing a library book on a similar…