The Research on Trial technique is designed to enable students to think critically about psychological research, to help them apply what they have learned in class in an in-depth way to this research, and to create a classroom environment in which research issues are debated. The technique employs a courtroom trial role-play, with students…

In 1987, a computerized laboratory component was incorporated into a traditional lower division, lecture-oriented, cognitive psychology course at State University of New York College at Plattsburgh. At first, eight computerized experiments were available for students to participate in as subjects, while students were simply assigned the activities…

A national survey was conducted which examined the scope of freshman seminar programming, the characteristics of these seminars, and the variance between different types of freshman seminars with respect to their goals, topics addressed, and other characteristics. The study surveyed 2,460 regionally-accredited colleges and universities of whom…

A practicum was designed to assist a private college in maintaining accreditation with the state of Washington in producing certified teachers with training in the identification and reporting of child abuse and neglect. Teachers and counselors are recognized as court mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect, but prior to the implementation…

This paper discusses the design and outcomes of an undergraduate education course that used current communication technology. A collaborative, electronic community was developed by pre-service teachers studying educational technology in order to publish, exchange and consider emerging ideas about the use of computers for teaching and learning. In…

This report summarizes the results of the Planning Introductory College Courses study which examined influences on course planning among U.S. faculty members. The study was built on exploratory interviews conducted in the 1986-87 Course Planning Exploration survey with 89 faculty members. Major findings show that when planning introductory…

This paper describes a comprehensive assessment program utilized in the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs' basic public speaking course, The Speech and Thought Curriculum. The paper begins with a description of the theoretical underpinnings of the course and its approach to assessment. Next, the paper outlines the competency objectives…

The Oregon State Department of Education mandates age-appropriate curricula for all grade levels on infectious diseases, including AIDS, ARC, HIV, and Hepatitis B. The objectives of this study were: (1) to determine the extent to which AIDS education was occurring in three remote rural Oregon school districts; (2) to examine the focus of the…

This discussion describes standards developed by Villa Julie College (Maryland) to avoid arbitrarily designating courses as "upper-level." Initially the school established a double concept of quality: either the absolute or "floor" sense (taken from minimum standards of accreditation) or the relative or "ceiling"…

A description is provided of "Standard First Aid and Personal Safety," a required general studies course for first- or second-year health education students. The first sections present descriptive information on curricular placement of the course, time assignments, and targeted student populations; a glossary of terms; an overview of course…

The Somerset CSE Mode III integrated European Studies syllabus, which contains a French language course, is aimed at the lower and below CSE candidate. The second language element of the course is described and reasons for constructing such a course for less able students are discussed. (RM)

Problems of development of a defined syllabus for modern language courses are discussed, as well as the relationship of the syllabus to testing and public examinations in particular. (RM)

The two curriculum guides presented in this document are designed to provide teachers with tools for planning instructional programs in physical education in grades 1 and 2 based on the Texas Education Agency essential elements and the goals and objectives of the Fort Worth Independent School District. Each guide includes six major instructional…

An experiential course in administrative practice was designed at the University of Maine to address public and professional demands for competency-centered preparation courses. The course employs a predesigned case study replicating a school setting to move students beyond theory and into the interpersonal relationships and personal dimensions of…

A diversity of practices exists with regard to the actual content taught in graduate-level courses in introduction to educational research. In a recent Delphi study, a national panel of 21 experts in educational research generated a list of 114 skills and knowledge areas they considered worthy objectives in an introductory course. What remained…