The Introduction to Sociology course is usually the first contact that students have with the discipline of sociology. This course can determine whether students take other sociology courses or learn to use sociology in their lives as adults and citizens. "First Contact" identifies important issues facing instructors in introducing students to the…

"The First-Year Seminar: Designing, Implementing, and Assessing Courses to Support Student Learning and Success," a five-volume series, is designed to assist educators who are interested in launching a first-year seminar or revamping an existing program. Each volume examines a different aspect of first-year seminar design or administration and…

Developed for newly appointed or experienced college instructors, this monograph presents a process for specifying instructional objectives. After chapter 1 provides background on the process of writing learning objectives, chapter 2 defines the terms, "goals,""objectives,""instruction," and "learning." Chapter 3 provides the instructor with a…

This guide is intended for teachers who want to learn more about educational design of college courses. Chapter 1 identifies various pressures for change in designing courses and urges creation of conditions that foster deep learning. Chapter 2 examines various models of the course design process. Chapter 3 discusses beliefs, values and ideologies…

Based on the assumption that good teaching helps students understand how to actively acquire, use, and extend knowledge in an ongoing learning process, this guide presents strategies for constructing learning-centered course syllabi. Following prefatory materials, part 1 reviews implications of shifting from traditional syllabi, which focus on…

This is a workbook that assists college faculty to design their own courses. The process is organized in a series of stages each of which is given a chapter: gathering, planning, implementing, teaching and evaluating. The first chapter on gathering describes the process for collecting as much information about the course as possible by describing…

This book presents 14 papers that offer guidance to college teachers venturing into online instruction. It is based on the experiences and ideas of faculty at the University of Phoenix (Arizona) online campus, which has been offering online courses since 1989. Chapters in the book discuss the importance of interaction and feedback, learner…

This book provides recommendations and guidelines for computer program selection and suggestions for using computers in varied ways and multiple subject areas. A discussion of classroom computer applications and curriculum objectives emphasizes integration of the computer and appropriate courseware into all curriculum areas. Various types of…

This book is intended to help college faculty effectively design and evaluate courses and curricula. The 16 chapters address the following topics: a learning-centered approach to course and curriculum design; a systematic design model (showing benefits); the decision to begin a curriculum project; getting started; linking goals, courses, and…

This book contains a collection of self-instructional modules for college faculty and teaching assistants. The modules address key aspects of teacher-learner interaction, including setting of course objectives, preparing lectures, conducting classroom discussions, preparing various types of tests (multiple choice, true-false, matching test items,…

This book provides a rationale for focal points for each grade level, prekindergarten-8. Focal points are important mathematical topics that represent major areas of content emphasis. Building on "Principles and Standards for School Mathematics," this publication is presented to begin a dialogue on what is important at particular levels…

Prepared as a sequel to the College Board Educational Equality Project's "Academic Preparation for College: What Students Need To Know and Be Able To Do," this book examines curricular ideas, teaching strategies, arts learning rationales, and related issues. The arts are defined as separate fields of study which offer a distinctive…

This book presents a systematic approach to developing a new college course involving, first, global analysis; second, thought, planning, and methodical preparation; and, third, evaluation of results. Chapter 1 recommends that the teacher examine the conditions of the teaching situation including reasons for the course, resources available, and…

This book presents 11 author-contributed chapters concerning the role of adjunct college faculty, ways that such faculty members can obtain resources to maximize their effectiveness, and relationships of adjuncts with other faculty and the administration. Chapters have the following titles and authors: (1) "Program Policies and Administration"…

This book is intended to help college faculty members, teaching assistants, and prospective instructors to develop their teaching skills and choose instructional strategies that match their personalities and result in improved student learning. The nine chapters cover the following topics: (1) determining teaching objectives (stresses specificity…