Book Description
Includes:
*A rich online study plan that guides students through all of the integrated assets of the comprehensive program, including the book, online, and software
*Guidance throughout the program, directing students to additional resources within the program if they need it
*A diagnostic experience to help students concentrate on the areas in which they need the most help
*A progress report, so students can keep track of and analyze their performance as they make their way through the program
*Email communication at key points during the program, providing extra tips and guidance, as well as motivation to keep improving
*Monthly online additions to ensure that the student has the latest content and information about the exam
*Remedial content to ensure students are up-to-speed on the basic concepts before attacking higher-level content
*Downloadable strategy and reference guides for easy prep on the go
*Realistic practice experiences
*Online question banks
*5 full-length practice tests with detailed answer explanations
Customer Reviews:
Great Prep Book.......2007-07-11
As a professor, I have used Kaplan materials for over 7 years to teach a prep course for my university. I find the Kaplan materials to be at a realistic testing level and have found that student's scores on the actual exam correlate very well with post course testing exams in the classroom. Many books are too easy and students develop unrealistic expectations. The verbal prep and math prep together with this edition provide an excellent study course.
Nothing really special..........2007-05-31
These GRE study guides are all overrated... I first purchased an Arco study guide for the GRE and it helped me brush up on my rusty math skills and didn't really do anything else. So I then purchased Kaplan in hopes of finding better practice tests and a little more help on the verbal section. Kaplan didn't do much for this either, although the book does provide a list some "hit" words (not very many though). Also, the math that Kaplan has on its practice tests are significantly harder (and scored in a much tougher fashion) than the actual ETS GRE exam and I found this needlessly discouraging and frustrating.
The best advice I would give to future GRE test-takers would be to use the actual ETS practice tests and practice questions that are on the CD-ROM that ETS provides. I also memorized every word in the Princeton Review's "Word Smart for the GRE" and that was a TREMENDOUS help. I ended up scoring: V 670, Q 590
Good luck!
excellent book to help you prepare.......2007-05-22
I bought this book and started using it about 6 weeks before my GRE test, which was today. I hadn't taken a standardized test in the past 10 years, but I managed to pull off an above average score in both the Verbal and Quantitative sections. I would say the only negative thing about the book and included software, is the the way the software practice problems are presented. It would be great to see software that would emulate the actual screens of the GRE and behavior of a computer-adaptive test more closely as well as provide scores for all the practice problems, not just the full tests. I think Kaplan pushes you do perform better by setting the bar on their tests much higher than the actual GRE. If you combine this with the free POWERPREP software from the ETS website, I truly believe that you will be more than adequately prepared for the GRE. Good luck!
Somewhat good review but their proofreaders need to be fired.......2007-05-19
I found the reviews helpful although I found that powerprep software actually helped me out more. But one thing is the amount of mistakes their book and software has! Come on now....students are relying on Kaplan's to help them with the GRE and their proofreaders can't even help with that.
Two Examples:
1. In the software, I chose the right answer and it marked it wrong. Even in its explanation it stated "The answer is 25,000 which makes the answer (D)". But actually 25,000 was answer (C) which is what I picked.
2. In the explanations for a couple of math problem...they explained completely different problems with different numbers!
Talk about annoying. I'm buying a Barron's right now....
GRE Book.......2007-05-16
This book was really helpful to get me in shape for the GRE. It was a great introduction to the test, and I felt 100% more prepared than I would have been if I had not had this book. I would recommend it because of all the great resources you get with it.
Book Description
From the creators of the #1 GMAT course... Kaplan's
GMAT Premier Program: 2007 Edition comes complete with a comprehensive review of all the material on the exam, and Kaplan's proven test-taking strategies to help maximize your score. This powerful combination is a highly effective way for you to score higher on the GMAT and make yourself competitive for business school admissions. Plus, we provide additional online features to help you practice with even more GMAT questions. You will score higher. We guarantee it.*
Features:
#1 best-selling GMAT book according to Nielsen BookScan USFREE online features to help you improve your score even more!The latest GMAT information and new practice questions online every month.6 full-length practice GMAT tests—1 in the book, 1 online, 4 on the CD-ROM.Quizzes for Problem-Solving, Critical Reasoning, Data Sufficiency, Reading Comprehension, Sentence Correction, and a new, expanded GMAT Math Reference section.Effective test-taking strategies to help you maximize your score on every section of the test.Mobile prep for your PDA or cell phone.Strategic approaches for every question type, including math, verbal, analytical and writing sections, and tips for mental conditioning.Expert advice on succeeding on the Analytical Writing Assessment and approaching the computerized essay grader.
System Requirements
Windows OnlyWindows 98, 98SE, NT 4.0, 2000, ME, XPPentium 266MHz or higher15MB hard drive space16MB RAM640 × 480 thousands of colors (millions recommended)4x CD-ROM speed or higherSoundcard Note: Internet Connection is required for the web features of the Program.
Customer Reviews:
Good appendices, general overview.......2007-08-26
Got this book a while back and finally got around to working through it as I studied for the GMAT. I found the text easy to read, quick to move through the practice problems and explanations. The book gives a very good overview of the GMAT format, question types and general strategies for answering each type of question. The AWA writing/essay section is fantastic - read the strategies, example essays and tips on how the computer grades your essays, all you need to get a 6.0/6.0 on the writing. The appendix for math (Quantitative) is worth the price of the entire book. Great quick reference while practicing and in the final week before taking the test, to help remind you of the formulas you'll need to memorize for the actual GMAT. BE VERY WARY, though, that even if you answer almost all of the practice questions correctly, you will not get anywhere near an 800 score on the GMAT. The practice tests simply are not hard enough, bottom line. I thought I would breeze through the Quant section seeing as how I answered 96% of the questions correctly on the practice Quant exam. However, I got to the real exam and the most difficult 10-20% of the practice test was the easiest 10-20% of the real test. So I scored 630 overall (78th percentile), mostly due to a low Quant score. So I was pretty disappointed. I bought the Kaplan GMAT 800 (see my separate review there) and it really gives you great practice questions, explanations and the toughest questions. I took the GMAT again 6 weeks later, after having used the other book as my sole study guide and only for a week or so, and scored 750 (98th percentile)!!! I'd still recommend this book or one of the similar guides (everyone seems to like the Official Guide to the GMAT published by the test writers themselves) to get you started, but don't stop there if you're serious about a 700+ score. The only other comment I'll make, is that I used the online companion to take a practice quiz and that was ok - never did the full online practice exam. Didn't use the CD because it won't work on a Mac, and gave me some error on my Windows laptop about not having the right video player so I gave up on the CD. I found the GMAT 800 book far more valuable than either the CD or online companion.
good book.......2007-08-13
Tips given in all sections are very useful. Match appendix is very useful. Got 780 in real exam today. Big draw back is that its tests are not even close to real GMAT. scoring is not similar.
Only Ideal for Anxiety Attacks..........2007-08-13
I purchased this last year with the assumption that the Kaplan name means quality test preparation...boy, I was wrong! For one thing, the sample question sections are terribly skimpy that you can fly through them in no time. The only "content" worth looking at are the math review concepts. Nothing else is useful. As for the CD, not terribly user-friendly but comes with a passable amount of sample sections. Of course, that brings us to the best part of this 'product'...that it serves to crack all your self-confidence. The questions are unrealistic and the concepts behind many of them in no way related to anything on the GMAT. Actually kept me from signing up for the GMAT because of my poor scores. Do yourself a favor and get the official GMAT guide - tons of sample questions that are a realistic idea of the GMAT and won't kill your confidence...I really regret buying this book...
You get what you need.......2007-07-22
This review is being useful and make study a lot easier. Let's see how will be my grades.
Don't waste your money.......2007-06-13
This book is by far the worst I've ever seen in terms of editing. The book is filled with paragraph duplications and missing information. With errors like these, how can they expect you to trust their advice on how to achieve a good score?!
The sample questions are confusing, and the answer explainations left me scratching my head even more. They're vague at best, and sometimes down-right WRONG!
This book is a real confidence buster. It really freaked me out to see how poorly I did on the sample tests. I know I'm not half the idiot they made me out to be!
What a waste of time and money! I don't recommend this book to anyone. The Princeton Review book and the Official GMAT study book are by far superior to this one.
Book Description
Includes:
*A rich online study plan that guides students through all of the integrated assets of the comprehensive program, including the book, online, and software
*Guidance throughout the program, directing students to additional resources within the program if they need it
*A diagnostic experience to help students concentrate on the areas in which they need the most help
*A progress report, so students can keep track of and analyze their performance as they make their way through the program
*Email communication at key points during the program, providing extra tips and guidance, as well as motivation to keep improving
*Monthly online additions to ensure that the student has the latest content and information about the exam
*Remedial content to ensure students are up-to-speed on the basic concepts before attacking higher-level content
*Downloadable strategy and reference guides for easy prep on the go
*Realistic practice experiences
*Online question banks
*6 full-length practice tests with detailed answer explanations
Customer Reviews:
Great!!!!.......2007-08-02
The book I received was in great condition. Also I received it in a timely fashion.
Good but not good enough.......2007-06-20
The Good: contains great strategy for approaching the logical reasoning, and Reading comprehension sections as well as some good food for thought on writing your essay.
The Bad: The logical analysis section of the actual LSAT is much more difficult than the logical analysis section of any of the Kaplan sample problems or sample tests. I took the LSAT a week ago and ended up cancelling my score because I was unable to answer a third of the questions in that section in the time alloted even though I did well on the practice tests in this book. Do not take the advice given here about scanning all the problems in the section before starting. This is a complete waste of precious time. Practice as much as possible and when you're taking the test, start working immediately!
Overall, great prep for most of the LSAT, I'm going to seek out another book or two to help me with the logical analysis section, as well as ordering the next 10 LSATs from lsac for practice.
Great Prep Tool.......2007-05-14
I love this prep book. It gives great strategy tips and has great practice tests. I'm taking the LSAT in June so I won't know how well this has prepped me until July but I think it is worth the buy. the CD is great and you have access to online content only from Kaplan. they even have a free practice test that you sign up for online where you go to their local kaplan center and sit for a practice exam that is scored. That is awesome.
Kaplan LSAT Study Book.......2007-01-05
The Kaplan LSAT study guide is comprehensive. It is a great tool from the start of your LSAT journey even up to giving tips about how to apply to law school afterwards. I would recommend using it in addition to the Logic Games Bible, which breaks down the process, but the Kaplan book is a good investment. There are plenty of practice problems in the Kplan and explainations which is key.
Not Mac Friendly.......2006-09-08
While I find the contents of the book sufficient, I am peeved that no mention was made of the CD being Windows only. I specifically purchased this book over some other choices, because I thought the CD would be a valuable supplement. If you don't have access to Windows or were planning to study on a Macintosh or Unix box, then save the additional cost and do not buy this book as it is available for less without the CD.
Updated 9/29/06: Tomorrow is the big test. Between this book, Cracking the LSAT by the Princeton Review and LSAC's published tests, I'm about as prepared as I can be. I found the information in this book useful, although they give themselves too much credit by claiming some tips as "Kaplan Exclusives" when they aren't, in fact, exclusive.
I borrowed a Windows computer to use the disk and found the tests quite helpful in that they timed me and kept track of my strengths and weaknesses, which I think is very beneficial. A neat feature is that one can cross out answers that aren't correct when doing process of elimination, just like one can on paper tests.
One thing, though, is that last night while taking a test, the application crashed right after I finished and did not save my answers. Ugh!
I'm not sure which I liked better, Kaplan or Princeton Review, as they're both good and I don't think you could go wrong with either. Or, like me, you could buy both if you have enough time before the test.
Oh yeah, good luck and see ya in court!
Average customer rating:
- THE ADULT LEARNER, SIXTH EDITION
- A classic, but it does not use its own advice.
- Andragogy for the 21st century
- Unreadable
- very comprehensive look at adult learning theory
|
The Adult Learner, Sixth Edition: The Definitive Classic in Adult Education and Human Resource Development
Ph.D., Malcolm S. Knowles ,
III, Ed.D., Elwood F. Holton , and
Ph.D., Richard A. Swanson
Manufacturer: Butterworth-Heinemann
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0750678372 |
Book Description
This much acclaimed text has been fully updated to incorporate the latest advances in the field. As leading authorities on adult education and training, Elwood Holton and Dick Swanson have revised this edition building on the work of the late Malcolm Knolwes.
Keeping to the practical format of the last edition, this book is divided into three parts. The first part contains the classic chapters that describe the roots and principles of andragogy, including a new chapter, which presents Knowles program planning model. The second part focuses on the advancements in adult learning with each chapter fully revised updated, incorporating a major expansion of Androgogy in Practice. The last part of the book will contain an updated selection of topical readings that advance the theory and will include the HRD style inventory developed by Dr. Knowles.
This new edition is essential reading for adult learning practitioners and students and HRD professionals. It provides a theoretical framework for understanding the adult learning issues both in the teaching and workplace environments.
* Provides a theoretical framework for understanding adult learning issues both in teaching and workplace environments
* Essential reading for a wide audience of practitioners and students in the field of adult learning and human resource development
* Incorporates Knowles'classic theories on adult learning alongside the latest advances in the field
Customer Reviews:
THE ADULT LEARNER, SIXTH EDITION.......2006-02-25
This book was in excellent shape. I received it sooner than I expected.
A classic, but it does not use its own advice........2005-07-03
Malcolm S. Knowles is the founder of the theory of Andragogy (Adult Education), and I agree with him on many of the points he makes.
The problem is that the book seems to have been written for academics to accept Malcolm's theories, and not written for students who wanted to learn to be better teachers in Adult Education.
Unless you have to use this book for a textbook for a class, I would not buy it as your first introduction to Adult Education. I'm not sure which book I would buy, but someone must have written a better one to actually learn the subject!
Andragogy for the 21st century.......2005-03-02
Since the term "andragogy" was first coined, several theoretical schools have developed around the topic of adult learning. This book provides a context for Knowles' ideas about andragogy and demonstrates the relevance of his ideas in the 21st century.
Unreadable.......2004-02-08
This book was the text for an adult learning course, and all 300+ students judged the book to be incomprehensible. So many complaints were received that the instructor apologized, saying it was the only book the school could find. There is good information in this book, but you need dynamite to unearth it. I have a better than average vocabulary, but I had to keep a dictionary by my side as I read, and even then I found words from the text for which I could find no definition. Some chapters had to be read 4 times before I understood the authors' message. Reading this book was a guarantee for a nap or a headache. Please, somebody stop this book before it kills again!
very comprehensive look at adult learning theory.......2001-05-11
This book is like a one-stop shopping guide to Adult education. It is so comprehensive that I doubt it leaves out one development in the history of adult education. My only warning is that the opening chapters which basically trace many theories of learning (both adult and traditional) are hard to get through -- it reads more like a research paper that summarizes every major educational theory since the beginning of time. But, if you don't want to know that much, you can simply skip these chapters and get right to the meat of the adult learning theories which are more appropos. For those who need a quick primer on learning theories, you'll love the first few chapters for their abundance of quick summary information. A useful guide to adult education.
Book Description
Education, like electricity, needs a conduit, a teacher, through which to transmit its power-- i.e., the discovery and continuity of information, knowledge, wisdom, experience, and culture. Through the stories and experiences of eight successful teacher-transmitters, The Dreamkeepers keeps hope alive for educating young African Americans.
--ReverAnd Jesse L. Jackson, president and founder, National Rainbow Coalition
In this beautifully written book Ladson-Billings illustrates the inspiring influence of a select group of teachers who keep the dreams alive for African American students.
?Henry M. Levin, David Jacks professor of Higher Education, Stanford University
Ladson-Billing's portraits, interwoven with personal reflections, challenge readers to envision intellectually rigorous and culturally relevant classrooms that have the power to improve the lives of not just African American students but all children.
Customer Reviews:
Positive thoughts on culturally relevant teaching.......2006-12-02
The author of Dreamkeepers makes the argument that African American children can be successful in school if changes are made by the education community. Gloria Ladson-Billings advocates for "culturally relevant teaching" which she believes will allow children to achieve academic success while maintaining a positive African American identity. By examining historical inequalities and the poor state of current education and achievement of African American children, the future may appear bleak or even destined for failure. Ladson-Billings offers examples of teachers, teaching methods, and ideas to keep the dream of education and success alive for African American children today. The focus of the book is the roles teachers have in helping children find success and examples of how teachers of African American children have been successful in this role. The way children should be taught is also discussed because she claims that the way children are taught is often more important than what they are taught. Ladson-Billings believes that these ideas could be used to get teachers, parents, and community members to redesign schools to better meet the needs of African American children, and after considering her reasons and evidence provided I am inclined to agree with these ideas.
The study was done in a predominantly low income African American community. To find successful teachers of African American children, Ladson-Billings asked parents and community members and then principals. When she had gathered a list of possible names, she chose only the names that had appeared from both groups. Ladson-Billings notes a distinction between excellent teaching and teachers because she does not want the examples to be dismissed as a cult of personality. Current problems in education will not be corrected if findings of success are viewed as exceptions, so she offers the examples in hopes that they can become the typical educational experience of African American children.
Through teacher interviews, classroom observations, and personal reflections the author develops the idea of culturally relevant teaching. To demonstrate how culturally relevant teaching might improve education, she describes three programs that are used in educating African American children. The first is to ignore differences that exist. It is designed to remediate or accelerate progress without attending or acknowledging to students' social or cultural needs. The second is the idea that problems are rooted in pathology and children need to be removed from it, so African American children are socialized into mainstream behaviors and values while teaching them basic skills. The third is culturally relevant teaching, where differences are seen as strengths. The concept of culturally relevant teaching is the cornerstone in Ladson-Billings' argument to improve the educational experience for African Americans. Student learning is facilitated by capitalizing on students' own social and cultural background. The broad nature of this concept is a strength to its usefulness because teachers can accomplish this using many ways. Culturally relevant teaching is valid teaching style because it does not expect teachers to follow certain steps. Pedagogy that tells teachers to follow specific steps like teaching is a recipe is unrealistic and useless. Culturally relevant teaching practices can be used in countless teaching styles and curriculum because the underlying theme of appreciation of culture and differences will create a better learning environment and better results for African American children.
The Dreamkeepers: Successful Teachers of African American Children.......2006-12-01
The Dreamkeepers: Successful Teachers of African American Children was a very informative book for educators that address the aspect of culturally relevant teaching. The author, Gloria Ladsen-Billings, talks about the relationship of pedagogy and how to fulfill the needs of African American children. Ladson-Billings also addresses seven critical points that many educators have brought up, which include: a case for separate schools, the growing educational and anthropological literature in ways schools can be made to be more compatible with all of the students' cultural backgrounds, the way that a classroom's social interactions are structured in a critical aspect of culturally relevant teaching, the teachers' conceptions of themselves and others, the teachers' conception of knowledge, the teaching of elementary literacy and mathematics, and ways for improving the academic performance and the school experience of African American students.I am only going to discuss three points that I agree with most which include the case for separate schools, how education literature is allowing the schools to be more compatible with a student's cultural background and how teachers teach elementary literacy and mathematics.
The first critical point that the author brings up asks if there is a case for separate schools. It does tell us that there is a growing isolation of those that are African American with the type of education that the children receive today in public schools. I am inclined to disagree with the case for separate schools because many teachers do have a growing disaffection towards African American students, as well as students of other minority status which is not discussed in this book. I am also sure that teachers do have a stereotype towards African American children as well because if they are not experienced on how to handle teaching their students of another race, they will be less likely to focus on them in class.
The author also discusses how educational literature is growing in ways that schools are able to be much more compatible with their students background. When I did an internship at an elementary school, I could tell that many of the teachers and principals showed interest in making sure their school was diverse. I do disagree in the fact that I have heard from others and also can see where they are coming from in that there definitely is a lack of literature of the African American experiences taught in class. It is rare to see a classroom in which the African American culture is taught, and it is something that should be considered.
Another critical area was how the teachers taught elementary literacy and mathematics. The teachers focused equally on those who were illiterate and literate as well as those who did or did not excel in math. I can definitely see why the teachers handled this because I have seen first hand at how some teachers do not cure and just continue teaching. Taking the time to make sure a child understands what they are learning in school; especially an important area such as reading is very valuable in their education. Making sure that children can read and add is very important and something that should not be ignored. However, I do disagree on how teachers taught elementary literacy and mathematics, I believe how they went about it was completely wrong. For instance, I think a child who is struggling in a certain subject should not be pulled out of class during the time that subject is taught. In addition to the class time, the student should have extra tutoring. Pulling them from class is not the best solution.
The quality of the book's argument convinces those who are likely to see things differently. She expalins in detail what is culturally relevant teaching. She also describes her observations and the components and results that had occurred throughout. Finally, she was successful in questinoning the teacher's views of how African Americans are schooled. The reasons that the author gives support the main argument in great detail. I believe that teachers are fully capable of allowing these students to succeed if they are willing to do so and give it their best effort.
Dreamkeepers Book Review.......2006-11-17
The Dreamkeepers: Successful Teachers of African American Children
By, Gloria Ladson-Billings
Gloria Ladson-Billings starts this book by posing this question, "Do African American students need separate schools?" She concludes her studies by saying, "What African American students need are better schools." Her main argument throughout this book is that culturally relevant teaching practices would be a huge part of creating these "better schools." Ladson-Billings suggests that there are many key characteristics of culturally relevant teachers. Some of these consist of the teachers seeing themselves as an artist and teaching as an art, they believe that all students have the ability to succeed, they demonstrate a connectedness with all of their students, and they help students develop necessary skills for their lives. These are just a few of the many characteristics that have to do with culturally relevant teachers.
In order to find out more about culturally relevant teaching, Gloria Ladson-Billings conducted a study to find and examine culturally relevant teachers. She started out this study by asking parents and community members for the names of some teachers who were very successful at teaching African American students. Next she asked the principals of area schools to provide a list of successful teacher's names. Once eight of the same teacher's names appeared on both lists, and those teacher's agreed to participate, she stared her investigations. She combined classroom observations, interviews, and personal experience to come up with her argument for culturally relevant teaching.
Ladson-Billings' argument for culturally relevant teaching came about because she saw negative effects on students whose culture and history did not appear in their textbooks or in their lessons. She believes that African American students need to achieve academic success while still maintaining a positive African American identity. She believes that it is the teacher's responsibility to help the students want to choose academic success. In her study she had multiple teachers who were just like this. They did not care where these students were or what other people had said about these students, they knew that they could succeed and that they would succeed with their help. They, many times, would work with them on an individual level to help them in whatever way that they could. In the end, all of the students who were thought of as being difficult or not intelligent enough to learn certain skills, ended up learning what they needed to know and sometimes more. That is what made these teachers such great teachers.
Personally, I agree with these reasons to support culturally relevant teaching. I think that if students do not see their cultural history correctly displayed in textbooks or in lessons in the classroom this could cause the children to see themselves as insignificant or inferior to those of a different cultural or racial background. I also agree that African American students should and can achieve academic excellence while still maintaining a positive African American culture and identity. I think that it is a wonderful teacher who can do both of these things, help them achieve academic excellence and maintain a positive image of themselves and their background. I hope that I can be one of these wonderful teachers who can do that.
I also believe that Ladson-Billings' evidence for culturally relevant teaching is both convincing and relevant. Most of her evidence is given through her classroom observations and her interviews with the teachers. She shows that when a teacher is culturally relevant, the students end up learning more and in many cases the students like that class more. In situations where the teacher is not culturally relevant the children do not learn as much or as easily and do not enjoy the class to the same extent as the other students with culturally relevant teachers. In the final chapter of this book she talks about one of her student teachers who is too impatient and does not bring in any cultural relevance when trying to teach three sixth graders math. That teacher ended up sending those students back to their seats with homework that they had no idea how to complete. This would be an example of a teacher who is not culturally relevant. The result was that the students did not find it interesting and did not learn anything from the lesson.
The one problem that I do see with her study is that she only examined eight teachers. I think that is hardly enough to base a whole argument off of. I do think that is definitely a great start but it may be more helpful so study many more teachers. She also only studies African American students. She does not even begin to look at any other races. I believe that culturally relevant teaching would be a wonderful idea for both African American students and students of any other race.
Altogether, I think that Gloria Ladson-Billings makes a wonderful argument for culturally relevant teaching. Her main point is that students will learn better and will enjoy learning more if the lessons are culturally relevant and if the teacher is also. The only weakness that I saw with this argument is the amount of people that she studied. Overall, I think that this is a good argument and was a great book for a future teacher to read.
A Dream to Keep Alive.......2006-02-25
Though Ladon-Billings leans towards idealism constructing a perfect model of societal bliss, this book does show the underlying lack of knowledge many people have regarding educational issues. Those who say that the African-Americans' educational problems are their own fault show incredible short-sightedness to the truth of history. Have we forgotten that the Africa diaspora of colonialism was a forced migration to this country that treated blacks as inferior, and thus that it was a waste of time to educate them? In order for racism to stop, people have to recognize that there is no one race better than any other. All races have value and thus all races should be celebrated. God created them all. An understanding of this will lead to advances in the educational system which often has curricula that have no connection to many of its students. Ladson-Billings book, though primarily focused on African-Americans, is still an important blueprint toward removing some of the blinders people wear when it comes to historical truth. This book is for those who have ears to hear.
The education problem is never a one race or one minority problem.......2005-07-12
Author Ladson-Billings (1994) book "The Dreamkeepers", gave me valuable inside on examples of various challenging and rigorous classrooms, and the emphasis the author put in presenting the cultural and social aspects of schooling when framing education as a whole, was evident. However the author makes the problems of African American children the main issue at stake in her book. Therefore I was presented with a fact and a different point of view based on statistics while conducting my research: One cannot lobby to change the system for one type of minority, to be successful at change. One has to see the "spreading tumor' per se, as a culturally diverse illness, affecting all of us. We, as a diverse society cannot try to make only one minority the beneficiary of our input, improvement, and educational reform. According the U.S. Department of Education (2004) NCLB (No child left behind) report, it showed that among the reading and math proficiency levels of performance for 4th graders in 2003, African American children were slightly lower, by one to five percent, under performing the Hispanics, meaning Hispanics proficiencies in reading and math are slightly better, just slightly, but this does not justify viewing the problem of minority children as being only an African American one. To be successful at change, one has to be more objective and start change for all minorities, why is it so vital to start with only one? I know poverty and lack of social skills are a major factor, but imagine how difficult it is to learn with a new language too.
Changes need to apply to all minorities, if one starts with only one minority, one is not addressing one method of change but only one perceived suitable application for one race. It just seems logical to improve all problems minorities face with the same vigor and dedication in order to truly make changes. I just do not see why is it that African Americans or any race should be the starting point. We are all culturally diverse, aren't we? Unless we are seeing this from the historical point of view again, and we are only to consider the many challenges one race has always faced historically in the U.S. school system, but that still does not justify starting -subjectively speaking- with a minorty that could have, or perceivably so, has been least served.
My two cents...SUSAN WILDBURGER
Book Description
A practical nuts and bolts guide for teachers from any discipline who want to design interest-provoking writing and critical thinking activities. Engaging Ideas:
- Shows how teachers can encourage inquiry, exploration, discussion, and debate in their courses.
- Presents a wide variety of strategies for stimulating active learning and for coaching writing and critical thinking.
- Offers teachers concrete advice on how to design courses, structure assignment, use class time, critique student performance, and model critical thinking activities.
- Demonstrates how writing can easily be integrated with such other critical thinking activities and inquiry discussions, simulation games, classroom debates, and interactive lectures.
Customer Reviews:
The Best.......2006-11-10
This book has revolutionized my teaching procedures. Bean shows us how to be more effective teachers without adding to the time we spend prepping and grading. The students are more engaged and writing better essays, and I am spending the same or less time preparing and grading. There are tips on everything from in-class exercises to constructing formal writing assignments. I recommend it to anyone teaching composition or any class with a critical thinking/writing component.
Excellent practical advice for the college teacher.......2004-08-22
Professor Bean provides the theory behind his recommendations but, as any teacher who has delved into this literature knows, theories about effective teaching aren't in themselves necessarily very helpful. What one needs is practical advice, and this book has it---lots of it. Bean identifies different writing activities for students; shows how to design tasks for active thinking and learning in the classroom; suggests effective ways to make use of small group discussion in the classroom; explains ways to increase active learning in a lecture course; discusses the mechanics of grading papers; and shows how to enhance learning in essay exams. Even for the experienced teacher, there's a good deal of worthwhile material here, and it's cogently presented. A highly recommended book for the professor who wants to increase active learning in the classroom and get more out of a lecture course.
Epic Resource.......2002-06-20
John C. Bean presents a thorough, logical discussion covering issues that (may seem basic) but that I for one, still struggle with - successfully integrating critical thinking writing assignments into my courses.
Bean blends relevant research and studies to explain and justify what works and what fizzles. His text offers strategies and assignments - from short, informal writings to involved research projects. His work considers learning styles - (students and instructors). The author models rich critical thinking and writing - the discourse allows learners to make their own connections and discoveries (while absorbing the valuable resources and information provided) Readers, like students engage in the journey of sense-making.
In sum, this is not just a book of potential exercies - it is a rich resource for instructors grappling with issues of assessment, critiquing, and the fear of grading overload. These topics and more provided me with some wonderful "aha" moments.
It's the "aha"s that spark my spirit of inquiry - and this is what I strive to share with students.
insightful, thoughtful, and full of useful classroom tools.......1999-01-08
Bean's text is a thoughtful and useful pedagogical "storehouse" of ideas that teachers can use in their classrooms. Not only does the text provide the theory _behind_ collaborative/cooperative approaches to teaching, but it provides such ideas for a wide array of subjects. Anyone who values the teaching of writing--whatever the subject area--will find good value in Bean's text.
Book Description
The bestselling guide, updated to reflect all changes to the GED through 2002
Each year, nearly a million North Americans take the GED high school equivalency exam. Formerly entitled Contemporary's GED, one of the most popular resources for those prepping for the test has been revised for all changes to the GED, through 2002. This latest edition of the bestselling guide arms readers with what they need to score high in all five test categories, including targeted assessments, easy-to-follow instructions, hundreds of reinforcement activities, and simulated GED tests for each subject area. Outstanding features that have made for the continuing popularity of this guide include:
- Half-length pretests for each subject area that help readers pinpoint strengths and weaknesses
- Two full-length practice tests for each subject area
- Special new sections on critical thinking skills, graphs, and illustrations
- New guidelines for using the Casio fx-260 solar calculator for the mathematics test
- A complete answer key explaining why each answer is correct
- Chapter-by-chapter surveys that reinforce knowledge of key concepts
- Test-taking tips and strategies
Customer Reviews:
Couldn't be better.......2007-09-12
I bought this as a gift for a friend. She loves it and is using it daily. She hasn't taken her test yet but she tells me that this book has helped her a bunch!
Helpful.......2007-08-15
This book was very helpful. I passed my GED on the first try. I didnt take any classes, I just studied this book. Very good book, I might add!!
book came in a timely fashion.......2007-03-09
I could not believe how fast the book arrived. It was in great condition and very helpful for my son. I would buy from amazon again and I highly recommend it to others that need books.
Complete study guide.......2007-03-08
This book is very nicely laid out with easy to understand examples, especially in the Math section which is why I bought this book in the first place. Well.. . that and the fact that I'm not even going to think about taking the GED Based on what I can recall from high school. It's a hefty volume to be sure. Easily large enough for a door stop, or if you want to leave a lasting impression with someone, you could slap them in the face with it, and they will remember you for the rest of their lives. (Kidding.) But it is quite large, and needs to be, for there is a lot of study material and plenty of practice questions in each section. I recommend this text to anyone who is attempting to pass the GED test. There is a nice pre-test. . . that after taking it, reminds you of how stupid you were for dropping out in the first place. But really, if you need to brush up or have been away from the classroom setting for a long time, Then get this book.
Excellent for Homeschoolers!.......2007-02-21
This book is very comprehensive, and a great way to verify that your high school aged homeschoolers are on track!
Book Description
A comprehensive resource for students on the autism spectrum preparing for life after high school, best-selling author/counselor Dr. Jed Baker offers "life skills training" on subjects such as non-verbal cues, body language, dealing with anger, frustration and anxiety, as well as building and maintaining friendships, roommates, and intimate relationships. He focuses on conversational and employment skills, ways to balance work/school with family demands, and problematic areas such as finances, emergencies and transportation matters. The assessment tools he provides for parents and the analysis of the laws that provide accommodations to adults with disabilities are critical for success in life after high school.
Customer Reviews:
A necessary tool for social skills groups........2007-01-10
I use Dr. Bakers manuals and pictures books in my group practice, and find them to be an invaluable tool for social skills training. They are easy to use and address the areas of difficulty that many of my clients struggle with. I also share the skills sheets with my clients' teachers and other caregivers to promote genrealization of the skills.
The gains my clients have made by learning and using the skills are measueable. Dr. Baker's books are a necessary tool for any social skills trainging program.
Excellent!!!.......2007-01-08
Another practical, informative and totally user-friendly book from Dr. Baker. Every professional working with adolescents and young adults will benefit from having this in their collection.
Knowledge delivered effectively is empowering!.......2007-01-05
In this indispensable guide, Dr. Baker gives parents and educators solid tools and strategies to embrace what's unique about our students in a way the adds ease and empowerment to the process.
Brilliant Navigator.......2006-12-11
This book is truly a Godsend. It is ideal for people on the autism/Asperger's spectrum who are approaching adulthood. Dr. Baker is plainly a gifted man and this book is proof positive of his logical vision. He is also a brilliant navigator who leads expeditions for people on the a/A spectrum into understanding the neurotypical world and issues in it.
I like the way he organizes assets and challenges by putting them into categories, e.g. work, social, etc. Dr. Baker includes some good practical techniques for handling difficult emotions. His advice on dating and employment issues is something no adult on the spectrum should go without reading. If you are an adult on the spectrum, please make this book your best friend.
Great Life Skills Training.......2006-07-11
This is a great motivational book for someone on the verge of entering into adulthood. Dr. Baker pinpoints specific skills needed for a variety of "life situations" by catagorizing them and dealing with them individually. It starts out with mapping out assets and challenges. There are activity pages to use when anger is an issue and suggestions on calming ones self. The book includes a 16 page section on dating. It offers great advice for job seekers, from writing resumes to handling rejection. These are only a few of the sections found in this book. It truly is indispensable for anyone with Autism or Asperger's Syndrome. I definitely recommend this one.
Book Description
The surge in the number of online training sites has created an unprecedented demand for experts who know all aspects of Web-based training (WBT) site design. Written by bestselling author William Horton, this book provides the hands-on and practical guidance that trainers demand. Packed with over 100 examples, this well-illustrated guide walks you through every phase of designing WBT, from analyzing your course requirements and assessing the needs of potential students to designing a course for a global audience.
You'll find out how to combine elements into effective and interesting learning sequences, discover how to overcome any technical hurdle that may arise, how to offer materials that motivate learning, and how to use Web technologies to create 21st-century alternatives to traditional courses.
Praise for Designing Web-Based Training
"Horton has done it again! He's addressed the cutting-edge problem of Web-based training design with his pragmatic, research-based approach. His work is task-oriented and down-to-earth. He doesn't waste our time with excessive educational philosophy. In short-comprehensive overview, practical advice, engaging presentation."-Robert E. Horn, Author, Visual Language: Global Communication for the 21st Century
"As each new media wave is adopted for instructional pur-poses, there is a lag in effective exploitation of the unique features the medium brings for supporting learning. Designing Web-Based Training bridges the gap by providing a rich and detailed reference."-Ruth Clark, EdD, President, Clark Training & Consulting
"Designers have been seeking guidance on how to exploit the Web's distribution potential while combining it with powerful instructional programs. Horton provides structure, stimulation, and substance in this important book. Web-based training is definitely what is happening now. Designing Web-Based Training will be a de facto classic in the field." -Gloria Gery, Principal, Gery Associates, Author, Making CBT Happen
The companion Web site at www.wiley.com/compbooks/horton/ features:
* Design guidelines
* Live versions of many examples from the book
* A course shell and sample lessons
* Links to helpful references
Customer Reviews:
Value of the Book.......2007-03-08
I found the book to be very informative if you are a developer of web-based training. It gave a lot of good ideas that you can copy, especially about standards and best practice. It was certainly worth the money to me.
Perfect Crash Course on Web-Based Training.......2006-08-01
If you are new to web-based training, stepping into a new web-based instructional design position, have been teaching or developing web-based training but suspect that there is a better way to do it, or you simply want to establish a solid foundation in building engaging online learning envrionments, this book must be on your shelf. I am a higher education instructional design consultant and I find this book to be an excellent ongoing resource. Not only is it full of specific and practical tips, but the content is organized into dozens of useful tables and charts. Chapter 6, "Activate Learning" is an especially useful chapter, providing lists of potential learning activities and explaining some of the reasons to choose one learning activity over another.
This is a book that emaphsizes matters of pedagogy and instructional design rather than the technical side of things. Among books with a similiar empahsis I place it among the top 10%.
Long on tips. Weak on theory........2003-02-28
This book contains a collection of web design tips which are in the main useful but not earth shattering. Where the book fell down, for me at least, was in the area of theory. It is weak here, and that can be a major problem if you want to conduct a scientific evaluation of the work using the umpteen heuristics suggested by the author. I doubt that there is enough information in the text to adequately help one frame an evaluation of a course, let alone put one together.
The book really has very little to say on instructional design methodologies. The reader is told to bear X, Y and Z in mind and then thrown a few sample scenarios (with screen shots). In many ways this is the tenor of the whole book: a vast and never ending list of do's and don'ts and qualifications to those do's and don'ts. I have to demure from the consensus among the other reviewers and adopt a minority position because quite frankly compared to other eleraning books, I found this one almost unreadable. The book is fullof particularities that are never adequately situated within a theoretical framework. It just seems like bad science to base so many recommendations on induction.
To be fair, it's good stuff in places, and frequently relevant, but can you retain it? Who wants to read a several hundred page long list of tips?
In terms of theory, balance and scientific worth a far better book, for my money, is by Alessi and Trollip.
Excellent e-learning overview.......2003-01-21
I am a corporate trainer who seeks to convert much of his highly successful classroom-based training to the Web. This book was EXACTLY what I was looking for and met my very demanding criteria for a 'how-to' book.
It succeeds in that it:
1. Takes the reader step by step by step through all of the big-picture considerations (and several subtle but important nuances) one must undertake to create an e-learning program from scratch, or convert an existing training program to one that can work on the Web
2. Is written clearly, concisely and simply - - an absolute rarity in a world of technology handbooks that are muddled and/or require the reader to already have a Ph.D. in computer science to understand.
3. Introduced me to small and large ideas that I had not considered but that made perfectly common sense when I thought about them.
This book made me a disciple of William Horton, and gave me the confidence that if I wanted to, I could transform my classroom training to the Web yet avoid a lot of errors I would have committed had I not read this book.
Great, Great Book.......2002-03-26
Most of the book covering e-learning are too much based on northamerican politics and standards since that's the reality for authors but, Horton's ideas and guidelines can be applied virtually in any country. He english is very to understand, he does not use word taken from slangs, or any "strange" word.
Chapter Organization is very good, every chapter can be read as whole unit, without going backward and forward reading other chapters because ideas are completely developed within a chapter.
Horton, is my fav. author on e-learning topics.
Book Description
This dialogue between two of the most prominent thinkers on social change in the twentieth century was certainly a meeting of giants. Throughout their highly personal conversations recorded here, Horton and Freire discuss the nature of social change and empowerment and their individual literacy campaigns. The ideas of these men developed through two very different channels: Horton's, from the Highlander Center, a small, independent residential education center situated outside the formal schooling system and the state; Freire's, from within university and state-sponsored programs.
Myles Horton, who died in January 1990, was a major figure in the civil rights movement and founder of the Highlander Folk School, later the highlander Research and Education Center. Paulo Freire, author of Pedagogy of the Oppressed, established the Popular Culture Movement in Recife, Brazil's poorest region, and later was named head of the New National Literacy Campaign until a military coup forced his exile from Brazil. He has been active in educational development programs worldwide.
For both men, real liberation is achieved through popular participation. The themes they discuss illuminate problems faced by educators and activists around the world who are concerned with linking participatory education to the practice of liberation and social change. How could two men, working in such different social spaces and times, arrive at similar ideas and methods? These conversations answer that question in rich detail and engaging anecdotes, and show that, underlying the philosophy of both, is the idea that theory emanates from practice and that knowledge grows from and is a reflection of social experience.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent book on education and social change.......2006-07-09
Just wanted to say ditto to the previous reviewers. Highly readable, engaging dialogue between the two great minds, a great introduction to their lives and thought. I give this book to friends as a gift probably half a dozen times a year it is that good. Trust me. Buy it. Read it. Go out and transform this world into one less ugly.
An amazing book!.......1999-10-18
I agree with the last reader that this is one of the best books I have ever read. Horton (may he rest in peace) and Freire have been on the front lines of using education for social progress and change. They discuss their philosophies and principles about education, illustrated by powerful stories of their work over the years, in an informal, conversational style. It has made me totally rethink the way I approach teaching adult ESL students.
One of the greatest books I have ever read!.......1998-06-03
There is no better book that combines education and social change than "We Make the Road By Walking". The dialog format truly lets the reader feel as though you are sitting next to Freire and Horton in a rocking chair at Highlander. This book is nothing short of a guide for all of us to shape the world we live in.
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- On Film Editing
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- Photography
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