Discusses differences and similarities of engineering (theoretical/abstract) and engineering technology (practical/application-oriented) programs which the author believes are artificially divided. The fields overlap and should be reunited, but this will need more effective interaction among all engineering professionals and revision of…

Effects of individualized and structured curricula on academic performance and follow-up satisfaction of students in an individualized university degree program were compared. Results indicated no differences in persistence, graduation rate, academic success, and course selection patterns. The groups differed significantly in their evaluation of…

Describes principles for designing a proficiency-based course to prepare students for the ACTFL/ETS Advanced Plus/Superior level according to Interagency Language Roundtable guidelines. Proposes ways to combine grammatical and "functional/notional" syllabuses with a proficiency approach. Examines the implications of these principles for…

Reviews recent research in bilingual education and English as a second language (ESL) in an attempt to arrive at some generalization about what characterizes effective bilingual and ESL instruction. Challenges the conventional conceptualization of ESL as an isolated element within bilingual programs and offers suggestions for improving ESL teacher…

Explains why structured composition assignments produce better writing than nondirectional writing experiences, explores the reasons for this, and establishes hypotheses based on these reasons for developing a theory of composition instruction. (HOD)

Provides (in table format) lists of chemistry prerequisites in biology textbooks, physics prerequisites in chemistry textbooks, chemistry prerequisites in physics textbooks, and mathematical requirements of physics and chemistry. Indicates that mathematical requirements for chemistry and physics are similar and that substantial chemistry and…

Presents results of a market research survey conducted by Athabasca University to determine interest in a natural resources planning and management home study degree program. Responses related to employment prospects, usefulness for professional development, home-study options, degree offerings, proposed program design, and format of proposed…

Describes the development and evaluation of a job-related curriculum for higher education programing in criminology designed, in part, to increase students' ability to produce and use evaluation research, and to stimulate commitment to using research in order to promote change from below. (RDN)

Outlines the current status of computer hardware and software available to educators. Presents two very different, but possible, scenarios for the future of computers in education. (MD)

Presents a multilevel course model which applies English for Specific Purposes (ESP) principles to the design of teacher-training courses for "general" English as a Second Language teachers. The syllabus moves from content, through format and methodology, to the language required to understand content, while maintaining the subject-language link…

High school students' subject preferences in 30 Australian schools, examined with Holland's typology of persons and environments, showed data consistent with Holland's model, suggesting a strong association between interest in school subjects and occupational interest as well as an empirical basis for classifying school subjects in terms of…

Reports the results of a survey of the curricula of 259 college English departments which indicate that the growing demand for writing courses coupled with the need to maintain a well-balanced program of literature offerings is causing problems for departmental administrators. (AEA)

As part of its long-range planning, Emma Willard School in Troy, New York, has turned to professional thinkers about the future for help in charting its course. Professor Thomas F. Green recently addressed an alumnae council meeting and five of his observations about the future and responses to them were discussed. (Author/RK)

A three-stage plan was conceived by a multidisciplinary, multiprofessional staff that encompassed behaviorally oriented educational objectives, instructional methodologies for the objectives, and evaluation instruments. The resulting curriculum focused on issues important to team delivery of primary care. (LBH)

This digest discusses the need for differentiating language arts instruction for gifted students in grades K-8. It begins by describing differentiation approaches, including acceleration, depth, complexity, challenges, and creativity. It then explains how teachers can differentiate the language arts curriculum in the following five areas: (1)…