This article describes a system of specifications-based grading used in an introduction to proofs course. The system was introduced to address two issues that arose in the course: how to spend less time grading and how to encourage use of feedback. We describe the implementation of the system and the results on grading and on students.

Readers of this journal will recall two articles on the Catholic philosophy education: "Towards a contemporary Catholic philosophy of education," by Brendan Carmody SJ, [Carmody, Brendan. (2011). "Towards a Contemporary Catholic Philosophy of Education." "International Studies in Catholic Education" 3 (2): 106-119],…

In 2011, David Willetts issued a White Paper with the title "Students at the Heart of the System". In 2011 the headlines were, inevitably, about the new tuition fee regime which, it was hoped, would change the thinking of university leaders so that they focussed less on research excellence and more on the needs and aspirations of…

A growing impetus for disciplinary status for academic development has prompted efforts to construct a principled knowledge base in this emerging field. This paper considers the impact of academic developers' access to structured knowledge through a systematic process. In 2011, the Centre for Higher Education Research, Teaching and Learning at…

Paige (2002) affirmed that a 'nonkilling society implies a disciplinary shift to nonkilling creativity'. Creativity is indispensable in the search for peaceful alternatives for the positive transformation of conflicts, inherent in human relationships. Creativity can help individuals to think and act peacefully, to find different alternatives to…

Video production offers a way for students to learn content-area knowledge while simultaneously developing technology skills deemed important in contemporary society. Yet, the research has not been examined in a systematic way to reveal how these types of projects are oriented to align to instructional goals or how learning is investigated when…

In the 2011-2012 school year, the teaching population was 82% white, a percentage that has barely changed in over two decades despite significant changes in the diversity of the student body. Considering this gap, as the demographics of students transform and representation in teaching remains largely homogenous, a conversation on pluralism and…

The purpose of this study was to examine the nation's baccalaureate agriculture teacher education programs of study to synthesize current coursework requirements. Sixty-five baccalaureate programs of study were analyzed. The mean number of semester credit hours was 125.2, and the mean number of credit hours in the areas of professional knowledge,…

This study aims to establish a model proposal for solving problems in the use of performance tasks at the high school level. The study which adopted qualitative research method was planned in two stages. First, the problems faced by high school teachers (n = 40) using performance tasks were determined, and for the second stage the opinions of…

Computing education has been an important and sometimes contentious issue ever since the advent of modern computing. Debates about computing education have closely followed job markets, technological development, academic interests, societal concerns, and changes in the perception of computing. The themes in computing education debates can be…

This paper focuses on the development and implementation of the Institutional Assessment Plan through integrated processes in which the assessment informs the decisions on budgetary matters and resource allocation. One of the key challenges in developing and implementing an institutional assessment plan is that often the decisions at the micro,…

"Frack Attack" is a transferable classroom activity that combines active learning and teamwork to critically evaluate sustainability topics in contemporary engineering contexts. The activity was recently explored in three chemical engineering courses at Montana State University: two elective courses on sustainable energy (one…

The purpose of this research was to provide the Focus District with meaningful and direct suggestions for developing structures and or practices that promote and support comprehensive planning, implementation, and sustainment of change actions. The Focus District has experienced a decline in the use of innovative and relevant instructional…

In "Teaching for Purpose," Heather Malin explores the idea of purpose as the purpose of education and shows how educators can prepare youth to live intentional, fulfilling lives. The book highlights the important role that purpose--defined as "a future-directed goal that is personally meaningful and aimed at contributing to…

Technology has shaped the personal experiences of Teaching Assistants (TAs) of French at the collegiate level in the United States (US), what they feel about the technology tools that are accessible in their work environment, and how they use these tools in their practice of teaching. Yet, there is limited research on the specific topic of the…