Materials on content of introductory courses in education were analyzed from 81 schools of education. Fifteen topic areas were identified, seven of which received major emphasis: (1) current issues; (2) history; (3) teaching profession; (4) administration; (5) philosophy; (6) social/cultural; and (7) instructional process. There was disagreement…

Presents a description of a five-week summer course in marine biology and oceanography offered to college-bound, secondary students with varied physical handicaps. Summarizes insights gained after four summer sessions related to communication problems, physical arrangements for the wheelchair-bound, and handicap-proof maps; evaluates the course's…

Evaluates a new course for prospective elementary teachers entitled Basic Science Skills, designed to give students background in science, to show use of science materials and methods, and to promote positive attitudes toward science and science teaching. Math anxiety is suggested as a confounding factor in interpreting the results. (CS)

Describes a study in which semantic differential scaling was used to quantify students' perceptions of courses in five Colleges of Education in England. Factor analysis reveals four main dimensions in semantic space: value of the course; intellectual breadth and depth; lively approach to teaching; and organization of the course. (AM)

The objectives, instruction, and evaluation in health professions course were studied by an evaluation approach to determine the degree of congruence among the three components. During the three years studied there were shifts in course content emphasis and yearly variations in the content tested. (Author/MLW)

Medical student response to a required sex education course at the University of Texas Medical School is reported. The results suggest that the students have an objective awareness of sexuality as an integral part of medicine, but are reluctant to admit interest and are uncertain where their knowledge will be utilized. (JMD)

College students attributed their own performance and the performance of the average student to ability, test difficulty, preparation, and luck. Successful students perceived internal factors and unsuccessful students perceived external factors as more important causes of their own performance. Students' anxiety and their ratings of the course and…

Presents an evaluative study of the Nuffield A-level organic chemistry course which was conducted in the United Kingdom. Questionnaire surveys were used to compare the course content with the content Nuffield teachers and university lecturers thought should be included in an A-level course. (HM)

Standard graphic, behaviorally-anchored, and mixed standard scales were used to investigate the relationships among scale types, instructor leniency, and ratings of college instructors by college students. (JKS)

The extent to which the student's perception of the purpose for evaluating an instructor, the instructor's expressiveness, and the density of content influences student ratings and achievement was investigated. Perceived purpose for evaluating the instructor had no effect on ratings. Scores were significantly higher for expressive than for…

Results of a follow-up study of the same students used in the Feldman study indicate that individual student evaluations are remarkably stable over time and more reliable than previously assumed. There was systematic information in individual student ratings that internal consistency approaches have ignored or assumed to be nonexistent.…

Small group discussions with Illinois State University freshmen to evaluate the integration of library instruction and technology training in a new gateway course found that students were confused about course purpose, that students received inadequate instruction in e-mail use, and that campus e-mail technology was inadequate to meet demands of…

Issues emerging in the use of active learning techniques at the college level are summarized, including faculty's risk of colleagues' disapproval, risk of student disapproval, creation of a positive classroom environment, inclusiveness and equitable participation, course and student evaluation, and use of electronic tools for instructional…

Presents a critique of the five case studies of blended learning environments in this issue. Comments are organized around the following four frameworks: (1) the J-curve of implementation; (2) the theory of Engaged Collaborative Discourse; (3) adaptation to individual differences; and (4) Validity-Centered Design. (MES)

Discussion of how to assess information found on the Internet focuses on helping teacher educators, particularly mathematics educators, prepare future teachers. Lessons that were designed for undergraduate students in a mathematics methods course are explained, including objectives of the lessons, student opinions, and assessment of the class.…