This paper describes the writing of teaching cases by students to help them understand and use multiple theoretical frames for practical decision making. It describes a doctoral level course called "Theoretical Perspectives" and the doctoral program at Temple University's Department of Educational Leadership. Students are required to study the…

A plea for a revision of methods used in graduate language programs, particularly Spanish, this article opposes admitting students to graduate programs for the purpose of obtaining teachers or filling up upper-level classes. Highly structured programs should be substituted with individualized, flexible ones. Testing should be revised. (SC)

The role of telecommunications in establishing the electronic classroom in distance education is illustrated. Using a computer-based doctoral program and the UNIX operating system as an example, how a personal computer and modem may be combined with a telephone line for instructional delivery is described. A number of issues must be addressed in…

The doctoral level bilingual/bicultural program described here is intended especially for Arabic and Spanish bilingual education students who are involved in administrative or teaching positions in the schools. An interdisciplinary approach is used and three types of faculty are employed, a core-bilingual and a core-support faculty from the…

While a variety of alternative careers has emerged for Ph.D. life scientists in industry, business, law, and education in the past two decades, the structure of doctoral training programs in many cases does not provide the flexibility necessary to pursue career experiences not directly related to a research emphasis. Here I describe my efforts to…

Syllabi, lesson plans, and activities are offered from courses designed to improve the preparation of doctoral candidates bound for college teaching careers. The three graduate-level courses include: (1) Course Design Decisions, which covers evaluating teaching and learning styles, designing syllabi and examinations, selecting textbooks,…

This issue of "Epistle" contains articles viewing the work of reading professionals from four vantage points. Richard Allington assesses the value of doctoral programs from the perspective of a research trainer. Anthony Giordano presents a method for developing the independent thinking and problem-solving skills of preservice teachers. Rita…

Argues for deemphasis of hyperspecialization and narrow departmental structures and an emphasis on collective efforts, interdisciplinarity, and beyond-the-campus connections. Outlines shortcomings of Ph.D. programs in rhetoric and composition: (1) lip service paid to language and languages; (2) not enough attention on teaching; (3) neglect of…

This speech covers three major topics: (1) the origins of the present day paradigm of professional training in education and the problematics of education as a field of study; (2) the recent history of the doctorate in education; and (3) recommendations on the present day doctorate in education, based on an analysis of the central requirements of…

Describes a course at the University of Missouri that gives doctoral students a chance to explore teaching issues in a setting that emphasizes reflection, critical thinking, and individual risk taking. Discusses how the class approaches learning about college students' intellectual development; curriculum design for programs in journalism and mass…

Recognition is increasing that Ph.D. graduates require transferable skills for employment within or outside academia, and professional written communication skills form an important subset which contributes to many other skill categories. Writing journal articles for publication is a key task within candidatures and research workplaces, so…

Purpose: This article is a critical reflection of the development and implementation of one of the first online doctoral programs in the UK set up at the University of Northumbria, Newcastle in 2000. Design/methodology/approach: The method adopted for analysis takes the form of a case study. Findings: Effective market research has to be undertaken…

Cognitive style and teaching technique were studied when 25 doctoral students taught a class session within their field of study and a session outside it. Out-of-field teaching produced anxiety that students attempt to overcome by going to more structured fields and using more formal and traditional teaching methods. (Author/MSE)

The College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, engaged in an innovative, intense approach to clerkship curriculum development based on the nominal group process. The nominal group process is defined as a method of soliciting ideas and constructive input from experts with differing backgrounds and perceptions. (Author/MLW)

Illustrates how Exploratory Practice (EP), a form of practitioner research, offers a successful and coherent approach to doctoral research and how learner and teacher/researcher understanding can be developed together. EP principles were used to integrate teaching practices and research in an applied setting to aid both the students and the…