The Academic Motivation Profile is derived from theories of motivation. Researchers studied preservice teachers to refine the instrument, examine the relationship between undergraduate student motivation and achievement, and determine the instrument's utility for detecting group differences. The paper discusses the instrument's development,…

A new technique for evaluating postsecondary education courses and improve instruction uses directed group discussion based on formative evaluation of the course concerned. It draws on Delphi technique and nominal group process but is more easily administered and produces higher user satisfaction. Its reliability has been confirmed in educational…

School principals and senior school administrators evaluated an inservice training program in which they had participated. Half evaluated the course individually, and half evaluated it in three-person groups. Results are discussed in terms of group dynamics theory and the validity of such evaluation methods. (Author/MSE)

Describes a project within an undergraduate developmental psychology course in which students build toys suitable for newborn to four-year-old children. Includes instructional procedures, descriptive examples of toys made during the class, grading procedures, and student evaluations of the project. (CFR)

Discussion of teachers' knowledge of instructional design principles highlights a required computer literacy course for preservice teachers that was redesigned to include substantial components to teach instructional design. Results of a study that was conducted to examine the effectiveness of the instructional design training are described. (18…

The appropriateness of a spiritual dimension in teacher education, specified but not defined in British educational legislation, is considered. Despite the difficulty of finding an acceptable definition of spirituality, its inclusion in teacher education courses is recommended. Issues for teacher trainers to consider in course evaluation are…

Preservice, predominantly white, Appalachian educators were introduced to teaching by critical analysis of readings on the relationship between education and social inequalities. The paper addresses the gap between critical orientation and everyday life in the preservice classroom, identifying concrete manifestations of education for positive…

Examines the validity of the faculty evaluation instrument used at Tulsa Community College (Oklahoma). Compares student evaluations of adjunct instructors and full-time faculty members. Finds that (1) a single dimension construct existed; (2) item-level comparisons yielded no meaningful differences between evaluations of teachers; and (3) overall…

Discusses the lack of knowledge that students from disadvantaged educational systems have regarding information technologies and information sources, and describes a course developed at the School of Librarianship at the University of Cape Town (South Africa) for undergraduates that provides students with transferable learning and information…

Discussion of the assessment of distance or "distributed" higher education programs looks at issues unique to this delivery approach, key components of an effective program, accreditation concerns, and the need to adopt principles of good practice. Salient issues are outlined in the areas of curriculum and instruction, evaluation and assessment,…

Describes the development and content of the online course "HIS 320: Capitalism, Culture, and Technology in Modern World History" offered by National University. Addresses issues such as students' motivation for taking the course, characteristics of the enrolled students, and problems with the course. (CMK)

Describes the development of a continuing dental education program at the University of Iowa offered via the Iowa Communications Network. Discusses advantages of distance education, including lessening travel time and expense; interactive audio and video technology; participant evaluation; and future possibilities, including offering courses over…

Considers the impact of the Internet and online courses on learning and teaching. Topics include cost-benefit issues; learning styles; teaching styles; satisfying student needs; continuous evaluation for quality assurance; technological issues; active learning and collaborative learning; interactivity; and online course content. (LRW)

This article presents results from an evaluation of service learning in statistics courses for master of social work students. The article provides an overview of the application of a community-based statistics project, describes student feedback regarding the project, and illustrates some strengths and limitations of using this pedagogy with…

This research investigated the relation of course, instructor, and student characteristics to student ratings of teaching effectiveness, both overall and within the dimensions of pedagogical skill, rapport with students, difficulty appropriateness, and course value/learning. Interest in the course content, expected grades, satisfaction with the…