This study sought to evaluate the goals and functions of practical tests for undergraduate students in the natural sciences in university distance education (DUE) programs in the Netherlands, and to compare the findings with results from similar research conducted in regard to science practicals at the Open University of the Netherlands (OuN) and…

These proceedings report the efforts of National Science Foundation researchers to disseminate innovations in undergraduate education. Section 1 contains forewords and keynote addresses by Robert F. Watson, Neal F. Lane, and Luther S. Williams. Section 2 contains overviews on dissemination and publishing including "Full-Scale Implementation: The…

Several factors have indicated the necessity of formally requiring computer literacy at the university level. This paper discusses the reasoning for, the development of, and content of two computer literacy courses required of all freshmen. The first course contains computer awareness and knowledge that students should have upon entering the…

The Center for International Business Education at Florida's Daytona Beach Community College (DBCC) was established to help internationalize business programs at the college. This report provides an overview of progress made at DBCC in 1994-95, discussing international business courses and programs developed and resources that have been committed…

Prepared by the State Board of Directors for Community Colleges of Arizona, these 1- to 2-page Briefs describe key policies related to the governance and operations of the state's community colleges. The first section focuses on the role of the State Board, presenting policies related to state and local governance; the statutory powers of state…

This paper presents the long and short versions of the charge to the University Committee on the Undergraduate Curriculum designed to establish Rutgers' university-wide goals of excellence against which each college will be asked to measure its curriculum. The purpose of the Committee's task was to help the colleges meet the challenges of high…

A method was developed for assessing the extent to which a test reflects the topics addressed in the problems presented in a problem-based learning environment (curriculum validity). The intended curriculum for a unit from the second year of medical school at the University of Limburg in Maastricht (Netherlands) was analyzed, and an 132-item topic…

The use of English-language literature in South African college instruction for Black students, for many of whom English is a second language, is discussed, drawing on relevant literature. First, the conditions of the education of Black students in South Africa is reviewed, and it is suggested that this population often arrives in higher education…

Designed to provide Quebec's community colleges with more precise information and a better understanding of their educational options, this report presents a description and analysis of the educational systems for the 12th through 14th years of schooling in England, France, Germany, Norway, the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Ontario,…

This report describes the activities of the Rural Education Research and Development Centre at James Cook University (Queensland, Australia). The center is responsible for implementing research into rural education, training teachers to work in rural areas, and implementing projects related to rural education. The center is an academic unit…

The Fluency First in English as a second language (ESL) project at City College (New York) began as a result of the high failure rate among ESL writing students at the college, and the fact that this kept many students from entering the regular college courses. Revision on the ESL reading and writing curricula, beginning in 1987, focused on…

Criticisms have been directed at the quality of professionals entering the teaching field, with the implication that higher quality students pursue degrees other than education and that the academically less talented gravitate toward the teaching profession. To test this idea, a study was conducted to determine if significant differences exist in…

College Reading Improvement Programs (CRIPs) have become increasingly significant in higher education because there is an increased need for the services they provide in colleges and universities. The first such program appeared in 1915. From 1956 to the present, research has documented a marked increase in the number of CRIPs. In examining the…

Between 1988 and 1991, the Center for Faculty Development undertook a project to evaluate the teaching of the Introductory Course in History at American community colleges. Based upon a survey of over 100 introductory history teachers and conference discussions, it was determined that two sets of course guidelines for faculty were required, one…

This book examines seven families of myths about postsecondary educational concerns in order to advance the thesis that the evolution of higher education should be accelerated to meet the conditions of a changing world. Chapter One reviews some of the changing conditions and criticisms that are part of the current higher education environment.…