Narrative data yield rich detail, insight, and information, but the personal and situational characteristics of coders (called value inertia and cognitive limitation biases) can affect data reduction. The effects of coder exposure to expected project outcomes and the level of coder research methodology sophistication were investigated. Coders,…

The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) documents dimensions of quality in undergraduate education and provides information and assistance to colleges, universities, and other organizations to improve student learning. Its primary activity is annually surveying college students to assess the extent to which they engage in educational…

Motivational design, a major component of the ARCS (Attention, Relevance, Confidence, Satisfaction) model that describes how to understand the motivation to learn, is described in this second article of a two-part series. Topics addressed include audience analysis; motivational objectives, measures, and motivational strategy design; and…

Designed to determine whether research in simulation and gaming follows research design methodology and the degree to which research is directed toward learning outcomes measured by Bloom's taxonomy of educational objectives, this article examines studies reported in proceedings from the Association for Business Simulation and Experiential…

Finds the acoustical environment of kindergartens to be a compound product of teacher-pupil-object activity with a thrust that may undermine educators' intentions. Observes that teachers working with an integrated pedagogical code must make their perceptions visible and hearable. Finds that uncontrolled sound does not foster teacher-student…

The finding reported previously in this journal (EJ 265 763), that elementary schools conform more to the image of the rational bureaucracy while secondary schools fit that of the anarchy or loosely coupled system, is reinforced and extended using a large sample, more reliable measures, and more elaborate techniques. (Author)

Based on an institutional-contingency view, this study focuses on ways in which public and private school sectors in six San Francisco area counties embody different organizational logistics and authority principles, including rational-legal, traditional, and local-market. Results suggest that, among other characteristics, nonreligious private…

Reviews the development of information resource management philosophies, methodologies, and techniques over the past five years. Areas that need improvement are discussed, including information resource management techniques, methodologies, research and educational bases, and professional associations. (13 references) (CLB)

Intended to provide background information to anyone newly active in behalf of higher education in Indiana, the monograph describes the status of Indiana higher education as of 1989-90. The paper begins by summarizing the statutory authority of the various state entities having higher education responsibilities. A description is then provided of…

Reviews study of undergraduates which evaluated the effects that variations in depth of information processing have on students' memory systems in terms of their ability to acquire and retrieve information related to different types of instructional objectives. The effect of visual versus verbal testing of visualized instruction is also examined.…

A format is proposed for use in systematic instructional designs where small group activities are planned. The format includes descriptive categories of activity identification; instructional objectives; role, task, and reward structures; evaluation procedures; and support system. Examples are given of how the format can be used. (Author/MBR)

Procedures for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) assessments of 9-, 13-, and 17-year-old students in mathematics and citizenship/social studies are outlined. An overview of NAEP's operation is followed by descriptions of the formulation of mathematics and citizenship/social studies objectives, development and field testing of…

An evaluation system which was used to monitor the progress of resident physicians in the Family Practice Residency at the University of North Carolina is discussed. The system was designed as an information management system which reflects both broad philosophical principles and goals as well as specific behavioral objectives. The three major…

Maintains that introductory sociology courses rely on a preponderance of jargon that obfuscates the nature of the discipline. Advocates communicating the nature of sociology by emphasizing its three main approaches: structural, systematic, and critical. Suggests that religious affiliation and economic status influence ability to think…

Seeking to describe the current conditions of U.S. arts education, this document contains information collected and compiled from state education agencies. In 1984, the National Executive Board of Music Educators National Conference (MENC) adopted three goals which stated that by 1990: (1) every student in grades K-12 would have access to music…