Introduces two courses for developing relevant computer use in a civil engineering department. The sophomore course introduces students to a set of problem-formulation methods and computer-based problem-solving tools. The senior course introduces students to representative, professional quality computer-aided engineering tools. Discusses impact of…

Reports on a project evaluating home-study foreign-language courses for beginners. The languages evaluated were French, Spanish, and German. Findings indicate that any one course in a series reflects all the courses in that series, seven of the eight courses were inspired by one method, and tapes were a vital component of all the series except…

A design for a translation class is described that is based on the author's experience in teaching translation to English language university students in Indonesia. Types of translation are discussed, followed by task design elements: goals, input, activities, role, and classroom procedures. (Contains 12 references.) (LB)

Discusses a science enrichment program, Saturday Science QUEST, and provides course descriptions, preservice teacher experiences, program maintenance, and feedback from children and parents (Author/MKR)

Quantifies a sample of Spanish teachers' and students' perceptions of the students' reading wants and needs in English. The results show that often the teachers do not credit their students with much interest in English. The article concludes with a discussion of the results with respect to needs analysis in course design. (seven references)…

Contends that academic departments have come under increasing scrutiny in terms of the scope of curriculum and teaching methods. Describes a senior undergraduate economics course in which the primary objective was to give students opportunities to combine theoretical training with quantitative skills and apply them to real-world problems. (CFR)

Presents an original dramatic scene written as part of the requirements of a course entitled "Death in Psychology and the Theater." The assignment, based on students' research on a topic related to the psychology of death and dying, addressed AIDS and its effects on the caregiver. (RJM)

Explores negotiation as a method for overcoming dilemmas discovered in an elementary science methods course designed to promote student independence and reflective thinking regarding science teaching and learning. Focuses on the decision making that emerged from the tension between traditional views and the views considered empowering. (LZ)

Discusses the use of "free conversation" in oral examinations. The use of "free conversation" to describe structured interviews where the teacher does most of the questioning and the candidate supplies most of the information is inaccurate unless the format of tasks can genuinely allow the exchange of previously unknown information. (CK)

Describes an integrated methods course in a small university, including evolution of the course, topics covered, descriptions of student assignments and activities, procedures used in student evaluation, and student opinions of the integrated course. An appendix contains the outline of topics and student activities. (15 references) (Author/MKR)

Describes a college psychology course titled "The Power of Myth," which is interdisciplinary and uses collaborative learning techniques. Maintains that students reported increased curiosity about the world and improved abilities to work in groups. (CFR)

Discussed is the idea that scientific illiteracy among scientists lies at the heart of the problems with undergraduate science education. Included is a description of a science literacy course for nonmajors and a proposed list of the most important ideas underlying science. (KR)

Discusses several options for the incorporation of minimal coursework involving engineering ethics into an already tightly packed curriculum. Topics include integration versus the stand-alone approach; timeliness of course addition; outline of course content and instructional format; students' reflections and instructor's musings; and an annotated…

A course taught at Western Washington University's Fairhaven College brings together all 13 faculty and a third of the student population in an interdisciplinary effort to address the theme of conflict. The course is administered by a student and a faculty member and exemplifies the difficulties of collaborative administration. (MSE)

Describes a computer tutorial program that teaches the fundamentals of discrimination learning in a college-level psychology course. Asserts that neither homework nor study guides provides the help that the tutorial program does for weaker students. Includes information about obtaining a free copy of the tutorial program. (CFR)