Needs assessment is the first step in developing a leadership education program. During the spring of 2008 researchers and program planners conducted focus groups sessions with representatives from Virginia's agricultural community with the goal of assessing the leadership development interests and needs of that community. As one focus group…

Teachers at all levels are encouraged, if not required, to produce and use behavioral objectives. The author offers several useful suggestions for doing so. (Editor)

Five trends in technology education curriculum development require serious examination: (1) neglect of curriculum theory; (2) technical models of curriculum planning; (3) trivialization through pervasive systems models; (4) disparate goals and objectives; and (5) philosophical drift from grounding in experience to grounding in action. (SK)

Discussion of course structure in active learning at the college level looks at ways level and type of structure can be varied and manipulated to meet challenges presented by a diverse student body. Issues discussed include the relationship of structure to cognitive style and development, fitting structure to content and objectives, and what can…

Guided Design is an approach to course design aimed at developing a student's decision-making skills as well as teaching specific principles and concepts. A seven-point hierarchy of educational needs is defined, including: (1) self-preservation, (2) safety, (3) belonging, (4) respect, (5) knowledge, (6) sensitivity-sensibility, and (7)…

A mathematical preview program in physics was developed at the Arkansas School for Mathematics and Sciences to introduce students to mathematical concepts, then use these as tools in physics while concurrently studying them in mathematics. The topics and time frame for the mathematical preview in calculus-based physics courses is presented, along…

An approach to writing in a college-level English as a second language (ESL) course is based on recent emphasis in research on the processes involved and strategies used in the various areas of human endeavor. Recent research in writing has indicated that effective and unfrustrated writers carry out the writing task in ways that are very different…

The guide, part of a series of committee reports relating to school band performance, organization, and equipment needs, is intended to assist band directors as they develop band music schedules. Major objectives of the handbook are to present attitudes of band directors and administrators toward scheduling and to offer scheduling suggestions. The…

A third-year pharmacology course in a doctoral pharmacy program that is case based and intended for a large class is described. Aspects discussed include learning objectives, course organization, classroom activities, case selection and design, faculty involvement, grading, and areas identified for improvement. (MSE)

A law school course in advanced corporate legal practice is described. The course, a series of simulated lawyering tasks centered on a hypothetical leveraged buyout transaction, is designed to go beyond basic legal analysis to develop professional expertise in legal problem solving. The course description includes goals, syllabus design,…