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Presents an argument for using dot paper rather than geoboards at postelementary levels to study perimeter, area, congruence, similarity, and other geometric ideas. Emphasizes need for students to be active learners. (GW)

To build understanding of, and the ability to use, first-year science and engineering calculus, students were introduced to differential equations and asked to carry out research on differential equation modeling projects. Describes a model for the research paper; appendices provide a copy of the student handout and five examples of student research topics. (MDH)

Addresses pitfalls in using the Internet for undergraduate research, including: increased ability to commit plagiarism and academic fraud; difficulties sorting valid, useful information from inaccurate or misleading sources; difficulties searching the Internet; growing confusion between reality and virtual reality; and lack of context for much information on the Internet. (DSK)

Describes a course for talented high school students that focuses on DNA science and technology. Employs Cold Spring Harbor's DNA Science laboratory manual. Engages students in performing sickle-cell anemia and thalassemia tests in rabbits. (DDR)

Describes an assignment for an education course in which students assume the role of prominent educational theorists. A librarian introduces students to a variety of library resources in the field of education, which they use to find background information on their selected theorist, prepare a formal in-character speech, and participate in an informal discussion. (Author/KRN)

Investigates HyperCard as a tool for assessment in science education and determines whether or not a HyperCard assessment instrument could differentiate between expert and novice student performance on balancing stoichiometric equations in science education. (ZWH)

The process for a successful multimedia conversion project is examined. Topics include initial conversion discussion and decisions; questions to consider in the planning phase; avoiding problems in the beginning; working the plan and planning the design; a list of prices; and evaluating the performance. (AEF)

Describes a method for teaching students how to write about literature that asks students to produce numerous "parts" in one large project. Provides a basic outline and explanation of the assigned tasks. (HB)

Describes the way one English teacher designed a course by asking students to compare articles on the same topic from different newspapers. Claims that teaching such forms of textual analysis is highly motivating and pedagogically useful. (HB)

Describes the Bajema strategy for teaching meiosis and how it is used in the general genetics course at Ball State University and can be used to identify students who have misconceptions of meiosis that can interfere with their learning the basics of Mendelian inheritance. (Contains 11 references.) (MDH)

One set of ideas at the core of the National Science Education Standards (NSES) Science and Technology Standards is that of engaging middle school students in activities that help them develop their understandings of technological design. More precisely, students should be able to identify appropriate problems for technological design, design a solution or product, implement a proposed design, evaluate completed technological designs or products, and communicate the process of technological design. This article describes a simple yet effective classroom activity that can help students achieve many of these learning goals. The activity, called Paper Towers, offers a challenging and engaging way to introduce students to the central tenets of technological design. This type of lesson helps students build a more complete understanding of the meaning of science and technology as put forward by the NSES--and students have fun in the process. (Contains 2 figures and 3 online resources.)

Presents a discovery lesson in which students investigate the limit of angle measures formed by repeatedly folding a strip of paper. (KHR)

Describes how the author developed an approach to teaching writing and to grading student writing that gets students themselves to understand their technical mistakes in using language, but also lets them know the strengths in their writing upon which they can build. Notes that this approach unexpectedly cut down on the time she spent reading and commenting on papers. (SR)

Proposes a hybrid grading system for composition papers which combines numbers and letters (thus providing some objectivity while preserving flexibility) that awards points on a sliding scale (with substantial rewards for content and readability and more limited rewards for mechanics and format) and that helps students see how their papers were graded. (SR)

Illustrates the basis of carbonless paper using sketches and examines the components of this kind of paper in detail. Discusses important chemical considerations and focuses on microencapsulation of the dye precursor and the reagent layer. (DDR)

Explains the dos and don'ts of preparing and presenting a paper or a poster. (YDS)

Recommends the use of origami to construct models of unit cells and crystalline structures. Provides templates and suggestions for use with students. (DDR)

Suggestions provided to college students preparing to write a library research paper are presented. They address topic preparation and research, use of sources, information-gathering procedures, organization of the paper's content, and presentation of references. (MSE)

Traditional needs assessments strategies are inadequate today. Today's needs assessment involves determining problems, priorities, opportunities, and learning needs before making decisions about professional development. Four questions to guide discussions on needs assessment include whether it was planned collaboratively, whether multiple sources of information were used to make decisions, whether data were used well, and whether information was gathered over time. (SM)

Describes a unit of study focused on the novel "Summer of My German Soldier" (by Bette Greene), involving a range of activities, such as research, poetry writing, and collecting visuals. Describes how students were evaluated through a collage which was a fusion of the reading of the novel with writing, researching, visuals, and their own artwork. Notes how to evaluate collages. (SR)

Provided are explicit guidelines, in a form that can be used as a handout for students. The guidelines cover formulation of the statement of the problem and the hypothesis, ways of writing in a logical format, and ways of improving the readability of the term paper. (RM)

Describes a class debate assignment that helps students prepare for writing their first research paper by making the research process a known entity. (SR)

Comments on the Society for College Science Teachers position paper on introductory college-level science courses and encourages two-year college science faculty to respond. (PR)

Contains responses to SCST "Position Paper" on teaching introductory-level college science courses. (ZWH)

Presents an activity that is a qualitative version of the standard paper chromatography experiment. This activity introduces students to methods of selecting the best solvent for a separation and allows them to consider the effects of adding acid and base. (WRM)

Presents one way to use an organized approach to investigation in order to compare and contrast different paper towel brands for their absorption capabilities. Uses investigation procedures rather than formal experimentation procedures due to the nature of the investigation. (Author/MM)

Describes a mathematics activity using square pads of notepaper and sticky notes to do simple paper folding in order to increase students' understanding of fractions. (ASK)

Analyzing literary materials to discern relationships between sociological variables is an established mode of scholarly inquiry which can easily be used in the instruction of sociology. A step-by-step method for writing a sociological book review is outlined and discussed. (RM)

A computer program in BASIC developed to assist in grading college English compositions is discussed and presented. The program allows rapid recording and printing of instructor comments, providing more praise and feedback than otherwise feasible. Teachers are encouraged to adapt the program to their own needs and preferences. (MSE)

Advocates creating a content centered writing course with research assignments that demand critical interpretation as well as appreciation of the processes writers undergo to create clear, informed, and developed prose. (CRH)

Discusses how to grade papers online. Proposes that students whose papers are graded online internalize information more readily than students whose papers are not. Concludes that through meeting on the Internet, many students sense a narrowing culture gap between teachers and students. (PM)

Describes a simple exercise in percolation theory that can be performed easily and quickly in a laboratory using paper and a hole punch. (Author/MM)

Describes the technique and benefits of having physics students practice connecting paper models of electric circuits before attempting to use real ones. (WRM)

Uses crepe paper for the introduction of spectrophotometric concepts. Dyes used in the manufacturing of the crepe paper dissolve rapidly in water to produce solutions of colors. The variety of colors provides spectra in the visible spectrum that allow students to grasp concepts of absorption and transmission. (AIM)

Describes the "One-Minute Paper," a teaching strategy used to encourage active learning by students and provide feedback to teachers. Enables the professor to establish a rapport with a large class of students and provides the professor with an insight into student difficulties and perceptions of the lecture material. (JRH)

A whole-class exercise used in college composition classes to demonstrate the writing process is described. The class works together to produce a collaborative paper, in rough draft, in one hour. Steps used to produce it include specification of topic, discussion of purpose and audience, prewriting for ideas, development of thesis and outline, writing, and critiquing. (MSE)

Suggests that learning to write should be mastered before a research paper is ever assigned. Presents exercises developing student skill in using source materials to express their own ideas. (MM)

Discusses an activity using lined paper and rulers to discover and prove the triangle proportionality theorem. (MKR)

Shows how geometric truths can be reinforced by simple exercises with lines and dots. (MKR)

Research agendas help statewide longitudinal data system (SLDS) teams and their states align SLDS work with state strategic goals and policy priorities, plan and prioritize research projects, and respond to data requests from researchers. This brief describes key steps and considerations for communicating and carrying out a research agenda that an SLDS can support, including (1) developing a vision for successfully implementing the agenda; (2) making the vision a reality by identifying and prioritizing strategies to address implementation challenges; (3) creating an action plan for implementation; and (4) communicating with research agenda stakeholders. The brief also discusses how to ensure that the research agenda is sustainable over time. The guidance in this brief is intended for states that have already developed a research agenda but have not taken steps to implement it. [This brief is a product of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS) Grant Program. Contributors include Kathy Gosa and Carla Howe.]

Describes the construction of a vernier scale made of chart paper that can be used to improve the readability of scales on burettes or graduated cylinders. (JRH)

Describes an incremental approach to writing research papers designed to promote students' commitment and audience awareness. (MM)

Suggests that students can improve the quality of their persuasive essays when the issue is first argued in the classroom. Discusses invention techniques and methods for students to conduct their own research surveys for support of their theses. (HTH)

An inexpensive and equipment free approach to teaching the technical aspects of DNA sequencing. The activity described requires an instructor with a familiarity of DNA sequencing technology but provides a straight forward method of teaching the technical aspects of sequencing in the absence of expensive sequencing equipment. The final sequence analysis can be used as a springboard to a number of activities including literature reviews and writing projects. (Contains 2 figures.)

Shows various methods of folding and cutting 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 9-, and 11-pointed stars. Discusses the geometry underlying each method. (MKR/SW)

By making and playing with marionettes, children who have special needs can improve body awareness. Materials needed include oak tag, scissors, and pencil or crayon for drawing. (RM)

Lists nine assertions pertaining to the field of theatre for children and youth. Spurs questions and discussion that provides useful contextualization for all of the papers presented for a symposium--papers which ranged widely over diverging ideological subjects. (SG)

Describes a group of teachers who worked with multigenre possibilities as an alternative to traditional research papers, while trying to teach some principles of research. Details how the students were offered three options: a screenplay, a multi-genre paper, or a monologue. Outlines the successes and failures of each project. (PM)

Notes the problem of Net-based plagiarism in student papers. Describes a solution that turns the tables by using the Internet: TurnItIn.com, an Internet scanner that annotates/marks unattributed material in student papers and compiles a report for the teacher overnight. (SR)

Describes a multigenre research paper assignment noting how the teacher guided the students with ideas and encouragement. Presents individual students' experiences with the multigenre projects. Discusses the instructor's political agenda, which was based on equality, empathy, and optimism. Concludes that a multigenre research paper takes more time and energy, it is more personal, and it makes students think harder. (SG)