The Community of Inquiry framework has become a useful instrument for exploring learning in online classes; however, the interactions between the constructs of teaching presence and cognitive presence remain relatively unexplored. This study investigated student perceptions of cognitive presence as explained by three teaching presence elements;…

A study sought a correlation between medical student personality traits and preference for a small-group, Socratic method medical course design. More students of the intuitive-feeling personality type than others reacted positively to the experience, but because the course requires more faculty time, less faculty support was found. (MSE)

A process evaluation of a three-credit, upper division career course at a southeastern university is described. Student responses to a standardized course rating instrument were analyzed. Anonymous course evaluations of 293 students enrolled in 11 sections of the career course were compared to student ratings of one section of the course 5 years…

Four sections of introductory psychology were involved in a study of aptitude-treatment interactions. Two sections were taught with a high-structure curriculum, and two with a low-structure curriculum. Students' preference for structure was measured with the Inventory of Beliefs (IOB). During eight weeks of instruction, observers recorded…

Research designed to compare student satisfaction between a traditional-lecture psychology course and a personalized system of instruction (PSI) course is described. Students compared two identical courses in personality taught by the same instructor. Students were generally more satisfied with the PSI course. The results are that they found the…

A study at the University of Yaounde (Cameroon) compared male and female student evaluations (n=1,064) of teaching on a range of variables. Variables which maximally distinguished males from females were fairness in grading, overall judgment of the course, organization of individual class sessions, and overall course organization. (Author/MSE)

The design and evaluation of an optometry practice management course at Hong Kong Polytechnic are described. The course includes lectures and small group projects on specific ethics and management topics. A survey of participants found they preferred group projects, with elements of peer teaching and seminar approaches, to traditional lectures.…

The Instructional and Leadership Development through Distance Learning (ILDDL) project was created to demonstrate ways that technology and distance learning can be used to address some of Florida's educational needs. The project involved the collaboration of Florida State University, the University of Florida, and nine Florida community colleges.…

Discusses a study of undergraduates that was conducted to compare the perceived learning effects of mixing cases with either a simple or complex business game in a business policy course. The effective use of cases and of business games is discussed, and course design is explained. (42 references) (LRW)

Results of an annual study of student opinions of courses at the London School of Economics and Political Science (England) show variations in level of satisfaction with a single teacher, even within the same course, according to teaching method. Predictors of these variations are examined, including teacher, course, and student characteristics.…

A study investigated perceptions of National University of Singapore faculty (n=18) and students (n=151) in psychology, building, and estate management of the importance of specific educational objectives and the effectiveness of teaching methods in meeting them. Results indicate discrepancies between faculty and student attitudes and some…

The possibility of creating an appropriate online learning environment for distance adult students was examined in a study of 22 Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) students' attitudes regarding the online version of a course offered as part of Penn State's masters of education program. The students completed surveys before, during, and…