Discusses the role of the academic library in training undergraduate students in research methods. Highlights include changes resulting from the electronic dissemination of information; the tradition of apprenticeship, journeymen, and master; information and knowledge; electronic scholarship; layers of learning in research in an electronic…

Describes the system architecture and user evaluation tools for Cheshire II, an online catalog and full-text information retrieval system being developed at the University of California, Berkeley, that uses advanced information retrieval techniques to overcome the problems of topical searching in online catalogs, search failure, and information…

This discussion of problems associated with deriving pragmatic norms for older children and adolescents presents a model for analyzing and comparing pragmatic performance across language tasks. The multilevel model involves the interrelationship of situational, discourse, and semantic contexts--knowing what, to whom, when, and how much to say. (DB)

Analysis of 73 University of Florida faculty portfolios, prepared as part of an instructional improvement program, revealed great variability in quantity, quality, and coherence of evidence presented to support claims of excellence in teaching. Seven guidelines for portfolio preparation, appropriate for different colleges and teaching assignments,…

Describes development shells and navigation templates that were designed by American Airlines trainers for the development of interactive multimedia instruction. Development time and cost are considered; functional requirements, including learning objectives, are discussed; and development shells for lessons, skills assessment, and proficiency…

This article identifies features of a culturally inclusive approach to assessment, placement, and instruction for students with severe disabilities. Culturally inclusive ways to build relationships with families are suggested, along with a research agenda and multicultural emphasis in personnel preparation programs, with a focus on process rather…

Examined the reliability and validity of the Work Sampling System (WSS) for evaluating the schoolwork of 100 kindergarten children. Results indicated that the WSS checklist and summary report had very high internal and moderately high interrater reliability. The WSS accurately predicted the performance of the children on a norm-referenced…

Presented are practical methods exemplifying principles of assessment that involve minimal disruption of the instructional process and not impose additional work on the teacher. Informal assessment methods include annotated class lists and student work folios. Formal assessment methods include practical tests, student-constructed tests, and…

Special programs for learning-disabled students have limited effectiveness because learning outcome is not determined by remedial education setting. Effective programs must consider cognitive ability, strategic repertoire, previously acquired skills and concepts, and awareness of the goal each task must achieve. Psychological assessment provides…

Discusses the use of students' lists of questions as a method of instructional evaluation and describes a project conducted at the Open University in Scotland that explored the feasibility of various strategies for formative evaluation of study skills workshops. The use of a diminishing list of questions for a workshop structure is described.…

This study examined the stability over 1-year and 2-year periods of the relationship between a cognitive measure and 2 language measures in 125 children (ages 3-7) with developmental delays. Findings indicated substantial changes in the cognitive-language relationship over time, suggesting that the discrepancy model is not appropriate for service…

Discussion of library collection assessment highlights a collection analysis that was conducted in the Birmingham (Alabama) public school system during the 1990-91 school year to determine the age of the materials and whether the collection met the needs of the curriculum. Past efforts are reviewed, and the collection assessment survey and…

It is argued that the modification of the Nedelsky procedure proposed by L. J. Gross is a valid approach to setting standards when clinical reasoning is measured using multiple-choice questions. An example from the Medical Council of Canada's Qualifying Examination for approximately 2,400 examinees demonstrates the procedure's value. (SLD)

Use of performance gaps analysis in program evaluation is examined by analyzing and critiquing the gap reduction design as an experimental design and an analytic tool in program outcome evaluation. The example of the Bilingual Education Evaluation System illustrates the contention that disadvantages of the method outweigh its contributions. (SLD)

A method of designing and evaluating internship and cooperative education programs between colleges and industry is presented. The approach accomplishes college objectives of academic progress and positive community relations while allowing the student to develop skills and marketability. The principles presented have application to many…