In an earlier issue of "ETR&D," the editors provided an hierarchical framework of components to support learning and instruction. That hierarchy included information objects, knowledge objects, learning objects, instructional objects, courses, programs and ongoing efforts, with each subsequent component building on the former…

The calculus of finite differences and finite sums is used to create a context in which the computer can be incorporated into calculus courses. Analyses of the experimental implementations are included. (MP)

The design of a freshman chemistry laboratory program involving nontraditional qualitative investigations of metal ion properties is explained. Experiments are discussed which focus on synthesis of a metal salt, properties of metal ions and their separations, and oxidation states of metals. (DT)

Discusses the use of a combination of inquiry learning and transactional analysis in physics teaching to provide a student with opportunities to develop more positive attitudes about himself and physics. Included is a detailed description of three major ingredients: Transactional model, process approach, and teaching methods. (CC)

Describes a course at Michigan State University in which students carry out self-experiments in nutrition. Self-experiments help to impress students with importance of human nutrition and offer insights into problems associated with altered dietary patterns. A number of possible self-experiments in nutrition are listed. (JR)

These materials, used in a self-paced course in engineering descriptive geometry for freshman and sophomore college-level students, cover three modules: basic spatial relationships; intersections, parallelism, and perpendicularity; and graphic analysis and development. Each module contains five instructional units. Each unit includes a rationale,…