Describes the design and development of library instruction for a freshman seminar at California State University-San Bernardino that focused on the library's online system. Highlights include active learning methods; information literacy; individual instruction; and results of course evaluations. (Author/LRW)

Introduces introductory psychology students to behavioral techniques for reducing anxiety and avoidance behavior through the use of participant modeling. Employs guided participation as a technique to encourage students to touch a snake. Finds this method provides an excellent introduction to behavior therapies and engages students in the learning…

Evaluates an introductory world history course taught at the University of Alberta, Canada. Advocates including similar courses taught from a Canadian perspective in the core curricula of Canada's colleges. Stresses that Canada's role as peacekeeper, official commitment to multiculturalism, and unique relationship to both developed (especially the…

Discusses the use of audio teleconferencing in distance education. Types of communication and interaction that are necessary in distance education are described, including learner-content, learner-instructor, and learner-learner; the institutional perspective is considered; and results of evaluations of audio teleconferencing courses at the…

A study used the Coursework Cluster Analysis Model to assess comparability of community college and lower-division courses taken by 76 transfer students and 168 "native" students at Southern University (Louisiana). Results indicate that the different student abilities and backgrounds and different institutions produced different kinds of…

Describes a practical experiment in which students prepared video materials to present to each other, the aim being to develop student autonomy in learning, class participation, motivation, and accuracy. The student feedback confirmed the success of the experiment; the rationale for this success is presented. (14 references) (GLR)

Describes an expository writing course designed to teach students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (New York) how to analyze the language and culture of professional literature. The roles of writing instructors and librarians are explained for an assignment that involves comparing 2 issues of the same journal--current and 20-years-old. (LRW)

Describes experiences with student evaluation of teacher performance in higher education at four universities. Recommends peer evaluation through a system of rotating seminars in which faculty members demonstrate teaching by discussing their professional activities. (CFR)

Describes the use of the board game, Jeopardy, in a college level abnormal psychology course. Finds increased student interaction and improved application of information. Reports generally favorable student evaluation of the technique. (CFR)

Compares student reactions to a videoconferencing-based course with reactions to a traditionally delivered course in training and human resource development. Overall, responses were similar; however, students in the traditional classroom were more likely to agree that the instructor used class time effectively and that the instructor allocated…

Student behavior and instruction in a distance education (DE) class delivered via live cable or videotape were compared to traditional courses taken by DE enrollees. Results indicated that individual characteristics impact the behavior variables of attentiveness and motivation in DE. In general, learner satisfaction with DE was perceived as…

Presents examples of the evaluation of media and technologies used at the FernUniversitat (Germany) for distance education. Topics include course evaluation; system or institutional evaluation; information and communication technologies; communication preferences and practice; computer access; multimedia via CD-ROMs and the Internet; video…

Reports a study of motivation among 36 University of Hong Kong first-year students during their first exposure to problem-based learning, with data drawn from student journals, pre- and post-semester measures of learning-style preference, and course evaluations. Results indicate significant changes in learning-style preference, from…

Presents results from a study of English teachers in Israel that examined levels of satisfaction with online courses and factors that influenced them. Highlights include connections between confidence levels and satisfaction levels; prior professional experience; delivery modes; communication with instructors and peers; course prerequisites; and…

The authors surveyed students (N=396) and faculty (N=156) at a 2-year college to determine their views toward publishing students ratings of instruction. Students favored published ratings of instruction, citing potential benefits. In contrast, faculty cited numerous disadvantages and rated the likelihood of potential costs as high relative to…