The potential value and limitations of contrastive linguistic analysis (CLA) in pedagogical application are examined in this article. Attempts to quantify learning tasks in the modes of difference and difficulty are illustrated by the use of four diagrams: (1) a method of computing actual learning tasks, (2) two contrastive continuums, (3) a…

In the past decade, the mini-course has appeared on the educational scene as an alternative with much curriculum potential. The term "mini-course" appears in a wide variety of possibilities. Some schools use a "free form" approach; i.e., courses or experiences usually planned by or with students but carrying no academic credit. In terms of credit…

Developed by counselors and teachers in a workshop setting, this teaching guide should be of value in planning and implementing a course in career exploration. Designed for use in grades 8, 9, and 10, the guide presents creative ideas for the following units: (1) Know Yourself, (2) World of Work, (3) Use of Occupational Information, and (4) Career…

The College Adapter Program (CAP) is a program to train inner-city young men and women with high potential for post-secondary technical training. These young men and women either have dropped out of high school, or have been insufficiently prepared in high school for further educational training. The Curriculum Design monograph is a statement of…

The difficulties encountered in developing an innovative teacher education program, emphasizing educational equity, are analyzed. Fluctuating membership in the program development group and an overly open decision-making process led to conflict over who would make decisions and what problems would be addressed. (IS)

A brief overview of trends in assessment in psychology degrees is presented. Both natural evolutionary changes in education and external, professionally-based forces have exerted considerable influence upon both the psychology curriculum and the methods of assessment to which psychology students have been subjected. (MLW)

Reflects the experience of teachers who attended a course on managing change. They used their new knowledge to introduce change in their own teaching or their own departments. Successful change implementation requires agreement on the change target(s), starting with a small, manageable target, and monitoring of the resulting change. (one…

Discusses the benefits of marking sexual identities (as heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual) in the classroom, exposing students' hetero-normativity, and alerting them to ways in which seemingly "personal" lives are shaped by the political. Relates the authors' classroom experiences in trying to illustrate the socially-constructed aspects of…

One of the goals of the Office Systems Research Association (OSRA) is to ascertain the competencies needed by an information systems professional charged with organizational and personal performance technologies. This model curriculum, a major update of OSRA's 1986 Model Curriculum, emphasizes the technical aspects of multimedia desktop…

Strategic planning is not only concerned with achieving specific goals for the long-term future, but also breaks these goals into short-term intervals and continually assesses the results. Strategic planning can have an impact on how librarians, especially public service librarians, operate in academic settings. If strategic goals and programs are…

The State of Louisiana's curriculum guide for the American History course is presented. Subdivided into four to seven units, the six sections of the course are: (1) toward a new nation; (2) conflict and reunion; (3) emergence of modern America; (4) conflict and international power; (5) global change and conflict; and (6) problem and prospects. For…

This training course module on curriculum development is divided into five units: (1) basic curriculum questions; (2) formulation of educational objectives; (3) translating national goals into educational programs; (4) determination of learning needs; and (5) the organization of areas of knowledge in the curriculum. For each unit the learning…

These program objectives were developed to support the Department of Defense Dependent Schools Five Year Curriculum Development Plan and are designed to provide a basis for elementary, middle, and secondary school physical education curricula. A balance of psychomotor, cognitive, and affective aspects is emphasized. General, program, and…

This teaching unit was developed to highlight the role of women in American history. Written for the junior and senior high school level, the unit examines how women's role has changed, what contributions were made by women in the almost 400 years of our history, effects of the women's rights and suffragist movement of the 19th century, and…

The Department of Nursing of St. Anselm's College undertook a project designed to improve the curriculum and instructional design of the nursing program. The general objective was to develop and revise learning packages by providing supportive and technical assistance to the faculty. The following tasks were accomplished: development of learning…