Considering the "tyranny of distance" in all Australian public service, campus-based educational systems have limited relevance outside the cities. The authors describe the existing tertiary educational system and its experimental alternative framework (the inversion of the original), the Open Learning Project. However, the future of…

The author describes and gives examples of his Optional Assignments Method (OAM) system of individualized instruction for postsecondary basic drafting courses. The OAM system allows students to begin and complete the course at any time and to work at their own pace. (MF)

Psychiatry instruction was divided into three components: basic information taught in a self-instructional format; experiential content (e.g., counseling and interviewing skills) taught with instructor feedback; and training in psychiatric data collection and diagnosis integrated in the self-instructional unit. Course use at Utah and student…

Small group teaching, with four stages of student participation, individual work, work in pairs, work in small groups of 4-6 members, and reporting back to the whole group, is adapted to the lecture situation allowing the lecturer to intervene at each stage to direct progress toward previously-determined objectives. (JMD)

Information is provided about enrollment rates in the less commonly taught language classes. An innovative language education method, the Self-Instructional Language Program (SILP), is described. (SW)

After noting the lack of English requirements for vocational education students, the author discusses how to organize an independent study plan which will permit them to continue their study of English on many different planes. Discussion covers developing a student contract, determining credit, and assigning grades. (SH)

A rationale for and an example (biology study) of non-direct instruction (self-directed, independent study) for gifted students are presented, focusing on program objectives, students' individual needs, a vertical timetable for organization, and various units of work. (CB)

Project DIG (Discovering Industries in the Ground) was a pilot program in Portage County, Ohio, involving gifted/talented high school students who gathered information from guest speakers, participated in field trips and an onsite archaeological excavation, wrote research papers, and shared experiences with gifted elementary students and the…

Poland's system for identifying and developing talent in its youth is described, including the experimental flexible curriculum that is now being extended to all students. (MSE)

The author discusses issues in the development of admissions tests by home study schools. He covers the construction of tests, emphasizing (1) consistency, (2) validity, and (3) normative data sampling. (CH)

Describes the results of a survey of highly successful junior high and middle school students, which asked open-ended questions about their perceptions of spelling. Indicates that visualizing is the most common strategy for learning new words, followed by dictionary use and repeating words over and over. (SKC)

The development, implementation, and results of an experimental independent study course designed to provide professional continuing education in the use of diagnostic pharmaceutical agents in optometry are described. (MSE)

The Case-based Learning Day (CBLD) is a brief, self-contained exercise that is designed to introduce medical students and faculty to one of the methods which promotes active, self-directed learning of pre-clinical medical disciplines. The CBLD program and an evaluation of the program are described. (Author/RH)

The Logo computer program is well-suited to gifted students' learning style characteristics (independence, fluency, persistence); learning style preferences (learning alone, use of tactile and kinesthetic senses, and sound in the learning environment); and teaching method preferences (independent projects, discussion, flexibility, and traditional…

Uses Marguerite de Angeli's novel "The Door in the Wall" to suggest that effective teaching occurs not when knowledge or skills are passed on to students but rather when teachers see students as eager, capable learners and work to make students independent thinkers. (JC)