Describes the electronic portfolio project at the University of Florida that uses Florida Accomplished Practices, benchmarks for teacher competency, to promote preservice students' reflections about their teaching and learning by promoting authentic tasks in authentic contexts. Explains the portfolio model that requires students to use technology…

Discussion of electronic commerce focuses on Web site evaluation criteria and applies them to different industry groups in Korea. Defines six categories of Web site evaluation criteria: business function, corporate credibility, contents reliability, Web site attractiveness, systematic structure, and navigation; and discusses differences between…

Many features of organizational environments discourage high-skill workplaces and training investments. Both public and private sectors can improve measurement of investment in people by identifying reliable and valid indicators, using benchmarks, and promoting certification of high-skilled workers. (SK)

Discussion of quality management and approaches to organizational success focuses on benchmarking and the integration of other approaches including strategic planning, ideal visions, and reengineering. Topics include performance improvement; decision making; internal benchmarking; and quality targets for the organization, clients, and societal…

A study of 27 Fortune 500 companies established benchmarking as a continuous quality improvement tool used in implementing exemplary work force diversity practices. Applicable in educational settings as well, it is a lifelong educational process for the individual and the organization. (JOW)

The following methods for selecting similar units in performance monitoring are compared: (1) cluster groupings; (2) index groups; and (3) benchmark groups. Advantages and drawbacks of each method are presented, with a discussion that demonstrates the statistical superiority of the benchmark grouping method. (SLD)

Survey responses from 49 of 96 nursing programs at institutions with Carnegie classifications Doctoral I, Research I, or Research II indicated that Research I universities had 1.5 to 2 times more personnel resources per student than the other two groups. Doctoral I and Research II programs resembled each other. (SK)

Most U.S. students are failing to learn much that is useful in science, mathematics, and technology. Curricula must emphasize depth of knowledge, not breadth of information. Two American Association for the Advancement of Science reports stress basic, universal scientific literacy, curriculum benchmarks, foundations for further study, and…

Used an innovative benchmarking research methodology including surveys and site visits to identify best practices at selected adult-centered institutions. Distilled findings into one overarching theme, "Adult learner centered institutions have a culture in which flexibility, individuation, and adult-centered learning drive institutional practice,"…

Highlights classroom techniques that educators can use to promote intelligent, probing discussions on topics such as technology, human society, group behavior, social change, social conflicts, and global interdependence. Describes the graded discussion method. (SAH)

Discusses the use of benchmarking in managing enrollment. Using a case study, illustrates how benchmarking can help administrators develop strategies for planning and implementing admissions and pricing practices. (EV)

Discusses the use of benchmarking in student affairs, focusing on issues related to student housing. Provides examples of how benchmarking has influenced administrative practice at many institutions. (EV)

A study of 20 graduate students learning distance education methods found that great variance in idnviudal competence at course begining moved to similar levels at course end. Open-ended verification of competence using behavioral anchors worked well as a self-assessment and benchmarking tool to document growth in learning. (Contains 19…

Factor and regression analyses of data from 241 business students found clear differences between grade point average (GPA) and Major Field Test in Business scores. GPA had strong internal validity and reflected performance in the context of institutional priorities. The test had greater external validity and enabled benchmarking against national…

Discusses the kinds of texts that are appropriate for students at various stages of their reading development and shares criteria for determining the difficulty levels of early reading materials. Lists five general considerations: vocabulary, size and layout of print, predictability, illustration support, and complexity of concepts. (SG)