A study of access students in the Open College Network (178 of 776) examined institutional and personal factors that inhibit or enhance program completion. Variations in program organization and delivery among different providers had a significant impact. (Contains 20 references.) (SK)

Discusses course material organization for Web-based courses that rely on the instructor's mental models of organization and describes a study that was conducted to determine if a discrepancy exists between instructor organization and student expectations of where to find materials. Highlights include a theoretical framework; categorization; and…

Describes a group-based mastery learning program emphasizing mandatory passing of an examination at the end of each unit. A student has four chances to earn a grade of 85 percent on each examination. Reports results for three semesters and includes evaluations from students and the instructor. Eight references are listed. (YP)

Recommends that an administrative syllabus, a course calendar, and a detailed set of student objectives are necessary ingredients of the well-organized college music course. Suggests use of a word processor to develop these documents, allowing for easy revision. Includes guidelines for creating these materials. (LS)

Describes a course taught at Oakland University (Rochester, Michigan) that provides specific information on, and preparation for careers in public administration and political science. Outlines course assignments and organization. Concludes that guest speakers representing a variety of career settings are an important feature of the class. (LS)

The author reports on his experience in organizing and running a two-week workshop for finance officers of African trade unions. A notable aspect of this was an attempt to use action learning methodology. He illustrates the advantages and the barriers to applying the action learning philosophy in a relatively short-period, off-site training…

Describes a graduate course for teaching therapists about the contributions that have been made to the understanding and treatment of substance abuse by family researchers, theorists, and clinicians. Delineates course purpose, student selection, instructional methods, and course content. (Author)

Reports on an ethnographic project that investigated an English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) student's listening activities during one academic course at a university in the United States. Research findings suggest content-based listening classes could be helpful in ESL preparatory programs; guiding principles for course design are included. (49…

Surveys entry-level psychology majors and non-majors before and after taking an introductory psychology course to determine their interest in topics covered in the course. Shows that students are interested in topics relating to their immediate individual needs. Discusses implications for course content and organization. (Author/LS)

A study of 15 Messiah College (Pennsylvania) courses that students rated exemplary for testing looked at external and internal characteristics that distinguished them. External characteristics included class size, grading patterns, course type, and teacher experience. Internal factors included teaching and evaluation strategies. Lack of peer…

Describes Europe Week, a one-week preservice teacher education course conducted during the summer at the University of Nottingham (UK). Students were encouraged to increase their knowledge and understanding of Europe, consider issues of European comparative education, plan ways to integrate a European dimension across the curriculum, and…

Discusses faculty perceptions of distance teaching based on the results of questionnaires and interviews at the University of Windsor (Canada). Strategies in course preparation and course management that address the concerns of instructors so that they are more effective in teaching distance education courses are suggested. (Author/LRW)

Differences in educational practice and culture of a British distance university and Australian traditional university are the basis for analysis of curriculum development methods. It is proposed that, although generally individual faculty design new courses, there are good reasons (efficiency, cohesiveness, professional development, academic…

Describes the content, requirements, and pedagogy of a course in data communications and computer networks that was developed at Eastern Michigan University. Highlights include course organization; grading methods; term paper assignment; peer evaluation form for team projects; network application; and analysis and design of networks. (four…

Discusses computer programming and why it is important in library and information science (LIS) education. BASIC programming language is recommended as the most appropriate for LIS students, and an example is given of its use in a course at McGill University. (29 references) (LRW)