New technologies enable flexible combinations of text and interactive or non-interactive pictures. The aim of the present study was to investigate (a) whether adding pictures to texts is generally beneficial for learning or whether it can also have detrimental effects, (b) how interactivity of pictures affects learning, (c) whether the…

Among the studies of the internal efficiency in higher education, most have focused on the scale of university (the economies of scale), but little on internal operating efficiency in higher education, especially on the combined efficiency of outputs (the economies of scope). There are few theoretical discussions or experimental research on…

Funding, equity, and efficiency of higher education are three dimensions of higher education that have been of increasing interest to scholars and policy-makers during the past two decades in Europe and elsewhere. Analysing these phenomena and the relations between them is the main topic of this paper, considering the funding system as the basic…

This article revisits Paas and Van Merrienboer's (1993) measure of instructional efficiency, which can be applied by educational researchers to compare the effects of different instructional conditions on learning. This measure relied on performance and mental effort on the test, and as such gave an indication of the quality of learning outcomes.…

Online education continues to permeate mainstream teaching techniques in higher education settings. Teaching upper-level classes in an online setting is having a major impact on education as a whole and is fundamentally altering global learning. "Cases on Critical and Qualitative Perspectives in Online Higher Education" offers a…

The ways in which time is utilized can be enhanced through careful management. The time to be allocated to various activities and objectives should be planned on a weekly basis in light of consciously set priorities. Commonly used but rarely useful strategies for time management include working faster and working longer, both of which lead to…

This report attempts to clarify some of the myths and facts surrounding low pressure sodium lighting, which is recognized as a high intensity discharge light source. (Author/MLF)

This rejoinder to McCall (Volume 56, 217-218) discusses the differences in viewpoint with respect to the relationship between models and theory, the notion of "direct" tests of propositions, and the use of measures of explained variance to evaluate model performance. (Author/BE)

A system that rivals today's computer-based exam preparation systems is described. The INSTA-EXAM system is 10 times faster than the more traditional, labor-intensive method of typing directly on stencil masters. Its ability to quickly and efficiently change, update, and delete information makes it especially useful. (RM)

The work-sampling approach derives a composite overall picture of how an individual allocates time by taking a sufficiently large number of spot observations of activity at random intervals. (For availability, see EA 507 433.) (Author)

Discusses the acquisition of a one-card communications program at the University of Oklahoma designed to address the school's expanding needs. How one-card systems are increasing student security are highlighted. (GR)

Discussion of models that have been developed to structure text documents for information retrieval focuses on XML and its proposed query language XQL. Considers efficiency of the query engine and shows that an already existing model, Proximal Nodes, can be used as an efficient query engine behind an XQL front-end. (Author/LRW)

Assesses use of thermoplastic single-ply roofs by North Carolina's Mars Hill College to prevent leaks, reduce maintenance costs, and enhance the value of their older historic buildings. Administrators comment on the roof's installation efficiency and cleanliness. (GR)

Everyone knows perfectly well that tuitions have outpaced inflation every year since Homer was a pup. Tuition sticker shock, that ineluctable annual rise in school costs, causes the nation sporadic fits of hand wringing, belt tightening, and taxpayer revolt. Most troubling of all, it has inspired an industry of policy wonks, efficiency experts,…

The jobs such as teachers, administrators, curriculum supervisors and developers, and university faculty members require them to use their time efficiently and effectively. Deciding on how to use the time and how to prioritize will help in achieving both.