Presents a curriculum development model that is arranged logically rather than chronologically, and emphasizes process rather than product or syllabus contents. The model's various components are related to recent research on student learning. Observations are presented on its use as a framework for curriculum development in workshops for…

Describes four research courses developed by the instructional systems faculty at the University of Florida which are designed to prepare doctoral students to plan and conduct high quality instructional systems research. Goals of each course are described, as well as course procedures and products, and evaluation methods. (MBR)

Develops a theory of mediated learning from practice. Problems inherent in developing theories are reviewed; general assumptions are identified; and a descriptive theory is generated that identifies favorable factors facilitating learning. Factors are checked for consistency and used to generate hypotheses for collecting research data capable of…

Discusses highlights of a literature review on guidelines for formative evaluation of courseware and the development of a formative evaluation instrument by the Kanata High Technology Training Association (Ottawa). The eight dimensions of the resultant questionnaire are listed and a copy of the evaluation instrument is included. (MBR)

Seeks to assist instructors in recognizing two basic errors that can occur in processing student evaluation data on instructional development efforts; offers a research framework for future investigations of the error tendencies and related issues; and suggests ways in which instructors can confront and manage error tendencies in practice. (MBR)

Describes an instructional development project in which data adequately describing learner characteristics was used to identify content for 18 continuing educational instructional modules for physician assistants. Utilization of learner data to provide instructional designer with precise criteria required to select content for both health and…

Outlines elements of instruction--knowledge, information, action--and describes each in the context of writing instruction, reviews writing research, and uses these components of instruction to explore possibilities for automated writing instruction. The Writer's Workbench language analysis programs are used to illustrate major points. Program…

Describes philosophy behind development of British Open University's course "Education for Adults," which emphasizes adult learner independence and autonomy and implements an andragogical approach within a distance teaching system. Significance of evaluation data from the course and the challenge presented to designers of courses are…

Teachers (n=101) of undergraduate and graduate level courses in creativity were surveyed concerning their beliefs about creativity, their goals for a creativity course, and the course activities. The study found consistency in the description of the goals, experiences, assignments, and evaluation procedures valued by respondents. Tables detail…

A questionnaire, designed to assess attitudes and anxiety levels, was administered to 96 Maine Cooperative Extension personnel prior to receiving computer training. For these workers, no age, sex, or job level relationships to attitudes about computers were found. Perceptions of one's ability in math did predict positive attitudes. (JHZ)

Analyzes data collected from 132 liberal arts colleges to determine the motivating factors for the presence of gender-oriented courses. Results suggest that highly ranked, nonreligiously affiliated schools are most likely to support these courses. Many also are found in larger economics departments with a high percentage of women students. (MJP)

Describes a course which provides training opportunities for academic staff who wish to acquire professional orientation toward their teaching functions. Course origins, current practices, and an independent course evaluation are described. Tentative conclusions are drawn concerning distance academic staff training and ways distance study can…

Description of undergraduate program at the School of Librarianship and Information Studies, Polytechnic of North London, focuses on course objectives, the teaching sequence, and conceptual relationships between the major curriculum elements. Problems of integrating diverse teaching approaches and of forming a taxonomy of objectives in…

Discusses the purpose, the rationale, and an evaluation of students' comments concerning an introductory college science course for nonscience majors that utilizes content area reading and writing to instill an appreciation for the everyday importance of science by focusing on the theme of science in the news, particularly as reported in the print…

Describes an undergraduate course in applied shoreline management offered in three different formats: traditional lecture, half-lecture half-collaborative, and fully cooperative. Student evaluations significantly supported the fully cooperative format over the others. Discusses the reasons for this and includes examples of the questions used in…