Discusses two approaches for evaluating distance education. One collects six categories of evaluation information (measures): activity, efficiency, outcomes, program aims, policy, and organization. The other identifies key questions needed for effective evaluation and methods for determining outcomes in five areas: accountability, effectiveness,…

Describes the design and impact of an inquiry-oriented professional development course on South Carolina teachers' perspectives of homeless children and families. Notes that multiple perspectives, participant involvement in goal setting, and opportunities to apply knowledge in community and school settings led to changed attitudes toward the…

The design for teaching a required preservice teacher education course was changed to involve six instructors who alternated presenting course material to six groups of 30 students. In addition, cooperative learning was promoted by dividing students into subgroups of 5 who had equal responsibility for preparing an oral report. Includes student and…

Discussion of course-related library instruction focuses on a study at Wichita State University (Kansas) that indicated little relationship between students' demographics, previous library instruction, or prior use of library resources and how they evaluated library instruction for an undergraduate anthropology course. Subject interest was more…

Examines the use of innovative collaborative small group activities in a Medieval History undergraduate honors course. Discusses student evaluations and feedback from a focus group to investigate the use of group exercises that involve the construction of three-dimensional models of medieval towns and the use of self-assessment. (Author/LRW)

Describes two introductory courses at the University of Saskatchewan that were delivered via satellite television to rural communities. The teaching/learning model used is explained, and results of an evaluation of the courses are reported, including positive attitudes expressed by both the students and the lecturers. (10 references) (LRW)

Describes a method for helping autonomous groups work effectively on problem solving without a facilitator. Application in a British part-time course for tutors working with adult learners is described; group dynamics are discussed; evaluation methods are explained; and detailed instructions for using this method are provided in the appendixes.…

A college-level introductory psychology course was completed by gifted adolescents. Post-course and remote-post-course measures for the 100 participants and controls demonstrated that knowledge gain from course participation was substantial and long-lived, affecting the quality of the students' understanding, their ability to generalize and apply…

Examines the need for pre- and inservice training programs to educate teachers about educational technology and teaching methods. Describes the use of telecommunications and word processing in a college course and assesses student perceptions of using technology. Course evaluations found that 204 of 213 students did not report any negative…

This paper deals with an attempt to organize a university research-based course designed to promote inservice primary teachers' professional development in environmental education. The various problems that arise in the running of such a course are identified, and some suggestions for their resolution are offered. (LZ/Author)

An undergraduate track in retail pharmacy management was designed to prepare students better for everyday needs in community pharmacy. Multiple teaching approaches were used. Student response has been positive and enrollment has increased substantially. Graduate recommendations for course improvement are minimal. Course descriptions are appended.…

Evaluates the teaching and learning processes in a computer-supported first-year undergraduate course in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Surrey (England). Students saw the workshop delivery as being more interesting, effective, and efficient than lecture-based delivery; help from the tutor was seen as the most…

Presents evaluations, costs, and availability of three seminars taught by pioneers in the information broker industry: (1) Information Brokers Seminars by Rugge covers topics related to small business management; (2) Public Records Seminars by Burwell emphasizes use of public records information in businesses; (3) Comparative Online Searching…

Five steps designed to take anxiety out of statistics for social work students are outlined. First, statistics anxiety is identified as an educational problem. Second, instructional objectives and procedures to achieve them are presented and methods and tools for evaluating the course are explored. Strategies for, and obstacles to, making…

The article reflects on using case method teaching in preservice teacher education, emphasizing situated problems of practice about which preservice teachers reflect by using tools of analysis, theoretical principles, professional wisdom, and autobiographical knowledge. The importance of conceptual, pedagogical, cognitive, and social structures…