Discusses the results of a survey administered to former students, which compared purposive documentation, education program, resources, and evaluation/feedback mechanisms of nine online instruction programs offered by various organizations, and suggests tools to improve learning. A table of online instruction program characteristics,…

Studied contract grading, which emphasizes greater investment of time and effort by student and instructor, but provides benefits to students difficult to develop through conventional methods. Desirable student outcomes are examined and a sample contract is included. (Author/JAC)

Micro theory can be used to reveal aspects of individualization that should be controlled in computer-assisted instruction (CAI) curriculum. Global theory is useful in evaluating educational projects as long as the individuals involved are similar in characteristics. (JN)

Descriptive and evaluative information is presented about the Interpersonal Cognitive Problem Solving (ICPS) program, which utilizes sequenced games and dialogs to teach young children new ways of thinking about and coping with interpersonal difficulties. (SJL)

SIMIG, self-instructional modules and interactive groups, designates a method of teaching and learning that has been evaluated over a seven-year period. Its two components, instructional modules and discussion groups, constitute a complementary process popular with students and instrumental in more effective learning. (LBH)

Explores two video instructional strategies for the foreign language classroom: advance organizers and captions in the target language. A set of classroom procedures are proposed that combine advance organizers and captions to teach English as a foreign language. (9 references) (Author/CK)

Presents the findings of a survey of faculty who publish course Web sites associated with their classroom courses. Reports that most instructors indicated that their goals for the Web sites have been largely achieved, and most consider the sites to be essential to a successful course design. (Contains nine references.) (CB)

The Instructional Design Model is presented for planning effective curriculum for gifted learners. The model first focuses on what basic curriculum dimensions are necessary for serving gifted students and then clarifies the fundamental purposes of a gifted program. Next steps include identifying and assessing learning outcomes. (Contains 3…

Essential ingredients of supervising teachers include: (1) going beyond teacher report to direct observation, (2) timely identification of problems, (3) careful analysis of programs for design adequacy, (4) provision for extensive teacher practice in structured settings, (5) provision for additional supervised classroom practice, and (6) a well…

A study to identify current methods of delivering agriculturally related educational programs to adults in Iowa found that postsecondary educators (n=42) tended to indicate a higher level of regard for principles of teaching and learning than did extension professionals (n=38). Although respondents placed high priority on use of variety of…

Most (73%) of the presenters of teacher professional development courses delivered through interactive television (ITV) in rural Victoria (Australia) rated themselves quite successful in using this medium. Other results of the survey and interviews suggest that presenters would benefit from inservice training on ITV and feedback on their program…

Describes a one-week French language immersion refresher course for middle and high school teachers that serves as a model for reclaiming language loss. The rationale for the program is given, a description of the strategies used is provided, evaluation of the experience is outlined, and suggestions are offered for adapting the program for other…

Examines results of a survey documenting the current state of adolescent programs in the Montessori schools of North America. Includes information on the students, adults, and physical environment of such programs, as well as the programs' enrollment, grouping, activities, and materials. (HTH)

Reports on the value of Project Work in INSET as practiced on 10-week courses at the Institute for English Language Education, Lancaster University. The two roles in which the student is addressed during the project (participant as writer or participant as researcher) are questioned. (six references) (GLR)

Reviews reasons for incorporating work-based learning (WBL) into higher education degrees and the barriers to achieving this. Notes five key dimensions of WBL. Describes and evaluates environmental audits undertaken in a graduate geography course at Lancaster University (England). Makes recommendations for maximizing the benefits of WBL in…