This study compared the efficiency (time) and accuracy of two representations of instructional algorithms--list versus flow chart--for the task of using indexes to search for document numbers in the U.S. Documents Monthly Catalog. Participants were 55 undergraduates and 5 adults at the Virginia Military Institute. Two sets (flow charts and lists)…

This learning unit on taking decisions is one in the Choice Series, a self-learning development program for supervisors. Purpose stated for the approximately eight-hour-long unit is to enable the supervisor to apply good principles of problem solving and making decisions so that his/her workteam is able to be, and to stay, productive. An…

While the lecture method of instruction is a good way to transmit facts and information, techniques that actively involve the ego of the learner are preferable for affecting attitudes and/or developing conceptual skills. One family of such techniques is known as simulation techniques. Two methods widely used in industry and colleges are role…

Four lessons for secondary school geography instruction focus on creative thinking through generating alternatives, imagining consequences, generating analogies, and creating products. In lesson 1 students lay out alternatives to solving a problem and decide the best course of action. Suggested activities include consideration of alternatives in…

Ideas that have been developed in the decision support systems (DSS) literature that seem particularly relevant to institutional research, planning, and analysis (IRPA) are reviewed. In addition, a survey of practitioners in Canadian universities that provides new information on the rapidly changing current state of information technology,…

This 10-part resource book contains 54 articles which address topics related to helping students become effective thinkers. The articles are organized under these categories: (1) the need to teach students to think; (2) creating school conditions for thinking; (3) definitions of thinking (including goals for a critical thinking curriculum); (4) a…

This special edition of "Communication" brings together the work of nine leading scholars of small group communication. The following topics are discussed: (1) small group communication research in the 1980s; (2) unanswered questions in research on communication in the small group; (3) emerging trends in small group research; (4)…

TO DETERMINE THE THEORETICAL IMPORT OF TWO KINDS OF LEADERS, SIMPLE AND COMPLEX, A GAME EXPERIMENT SIMULATING INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS WAS CONDUCTED WITH 20 DYAD NEGOTIATION TEAMS (10 HAVING MEMBERS WITH SIMPLE CONCEPTUAL STRUCTURE AND 10 HAVING MEMBERS WITH COMPLEX CONCEPTUAL STRUCTURE) SELECTED FROM 350 MALE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN AN…

This module is designed to guide a class in analyzing and investigating energy attitudes and questions. It includes methods for establishing discussions and a classroom communication system. Sources and procedures for information gathering are suggested. Another section provides a broad overview of the energy situation with descriptions of present…

Based on the premise that the major emphasis in population education should be on the development of problem analysis and values clarification, the manual offers guidelines for program evaluation. It consists of eight chapters. Chapter I discusses the nature of educational research and in-school and out-of-school population programs. Chapter II…

Simulation is the duplication of the essential characteristics of a task or situation. It represents three elements of the teaching-learning process: (1) stimulus situation; (2) response; and (3) feedback. The uses of simulation may fall into one of three general categories: research--the generation of information about an operational or proposed…

The demand for administrators and specialists trained in quantitative concepts and skills has increased across the last decade mainly as a result of the accountability movement. Quantitative methods can greatly assist the school administrator in certain decisionmaking processes, although it is essential that he be able to distinguish between those…

The simulation materials in this booklet are presented in the form of "in" basket items that represent some problems encountered by secondary school principals in actual situations. These exercises are directed toward improving those skills related to the administrative processes of decisionmaking, supervision, planning, and problem…

The challenge of clinical teaching is to transform novice medical students into practicing physicians. Four issues are addressed: strengths of clinical education; major problems with clinical teaching; key roles faculty and residents perform; and strategies for improving clinical teaching. (MLW)

A program at Brandeis University uses literature to help professionals confront career dilemmas and work-related moral issues. Program participants say literature provides a "non-threatening" way to discuss difficult subjects. Doctors, legislators, corporate executives, public-school teachers, etc. have participated. (MLW)