In the current trend toward improvement of instruction and accountability, the writing of objectives has become an almost universal requirement. Objectives, in fact, may be at a general, specific, or competency level, but it is impossible to begin to write any of these until a course configuration (format) has been developed. Construction of a…

Genre studies are offered as a needed alternative to the historical approach to the study of public speaking. Five ways to classify rhetorical genres are suggested: (1) by the changes which messages produce in audiences, (2) by the dominant methods or characterizing strategies of a message, (3) by style, (4) by culture or world view, and (5) by…

Basic assumptions implicit in course design for foreign languages are examined. The course must first satisfy the basic needs of the learner, later his sociolinguistic or psycholinguistic needs. Relevance of materials is looked at in terms of framework of a course, role of situational teaching, and conduct of the lesson. (SCC)

Suggests that the secondary curriculum is not flexible enough to cope with the widely differing skills and abilities of pupils. (Editor)

A thorough revision of present syllabus-design practices is necessary to achieve the goal of enabling the learner to use the target language with relative fluency in simulated speech transactions. Four new orientations are suggested that lead more directly to language use than do monolithic and paradigm-oriented linguistic features. (Author/RM)

Describes the practical problems encountered by one group of people, in one institution, when different disciplines were combined in the production of a course about the theory of curriculum design. (Author/RK)

Arguing that almost any period of history is a microcosm of the whole, this author suggests that the traditional survey course should give way to short intensive courses in areas of special interest in order to make the curriculum more relevant and improve student attitudes. (Author/JB)

As one of the important stakeholders in the academic process, students and their preferences should be considered when the instructor selects the various course design features. Although students are not the only stakeholders in the academic process, their receptiveness to classroom instruction is clearly a central focus of that process. This…

A discussion of educational design with emphasis on development of behaviorally stated objectives for a course. (JT)

Presented is an environmental education model based on an interdisciplinary curricular structure. The model consists of three two-dimensional matrices organizing objectives, strategies, and content. Each matrix lists environmental concepts along one axis and the disciplines along the other. One interpretation of the model is presented as a…

What has been lacking up to this time is an articulation of a general theory of inquiry about education and a relating of some of its practical applications to the day to day operations of a School or Faculty of Educology, another way of saying "studies about education". This analysis is intended to provide at least an initial basis for…

Suggestions are made to the beginning teacher of college students on how to develop good teaching habits and skills. (JD)

Educational innovations are frequently undertaken with little or no planning. There are occasions, however, when it is possible to define educational problems with some precision and to plan changes which will "solve" these problems. Here is a report on such a case in the teaching of introductory anthropology at a large land-grant university.…

Discusses the lack of applications of simulations to the study of English for academic purposes. Advocates a "looser" syllabus design which combines knowledge about learning objectives, organization of material, and methodology yet allows for students' needs and ways of learning. (SED)