Uses statistical analysis and interviews to examine strategies employed by five small Ontario schools successfully using Independent Learning Courses (ILC). Charts schools' correspondence course completion rates. Surveys administrators. Links ILC success to program structuring, counseling, screening services, student progress monitoring, and…

The University of Alberta's (Canada) four-year experience with development of a medical school course in behavioral science is chronicled. The course began as a traditional lecture course and evolved through several formats into a clinical course. Attention given to the quality of the educational experience is highlighted. (MSE)

Issues and problems encountered in teaching a university faculty development course are discussed. The course focused on sustained reflection and classroom research as a means for improving instruction. Issues include the challenge of addressing each teacher's needs and transforming course learning and shared experience into better classroom…

A year-long study of knowledge development in 40 college students focused on the relationships between the historical and philosophical dimensions of the curriculum, teaching method, and quality of learning. Student exposure to the discipline's history and philosophy, discussion-based instruction, and personally meaningful topics were seen as most…

Describes an approach to teaching undergraduate anthropology focused on anthropological modes of thought rather than accumulation of exotic data. Central technique is use of a journal focused on relating classroom material to students' daily lives. Aim is to teach students to be participant-observers in their own cultures. (Author/JS)

Discusses the design of an undergraduate survey course in anthropological linguistics that both acquaints students with language structure and traces the cross-fertilizing relationships that bind it to other specialties within anthropology. Considers utilizing the holistic approach which views language and culture as forming a continuum of coded…

Briefly describes two guidebooks, published by the National Center for Research to Improve Postsecondary Teaching and Learning, designed to assist both teaching assistants (TAs) and professors to improve instruction. Stresses the importance of course planning and writing effective syllabi. Argues TAs need to learn skills from their current…

The development and structure of a computer literacy course, developed at Hunter College (New York) in 1991 and targeting women and minorities, are described. The course has been extremely successful and well received and has resulted in the opening of additional computer laboratories and scheduling of many new sections. (MSE)

An analysis of aptitude-treatment interaction (ATI) for preferences for course structure and of instructor orientation preferences was undertaken for 50 first-year college students. Results indicate that students are more satisfied with instructors who are perceived as student oriented but that students who prefer low-difficulty instruction…

Presents three aspects of multi-professional shared learning. Discusses the levels of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that comprise a learner's "readiness" for Inter-Professional Learning and describes the design and implementation of a multi-professional shared-learning course. Identifies the educational principles underlying shared…

Describes a method whereby college instructors can efficiently create individualized e-mail messages to students. The technique combines the mail merge capability of Microsoft Word and Excel with an e-mail client. Examples are from successful use in two courses: large-enrollment statistics course taught by lecture and a graduate-level course in…

Discusses the use of student-based focus groups as one component of university course evaluations. Steps in planning and conducting focus groups are detailed and applied to the evaluation of a freshman-level general health course. Finds that participants wanted to retain the health content but add more of a teaching emphasis to the course.…

Examines the potential benefits of intensive scheduling, an alternative to traditional school day structuring that allows students to take fewer classes but stay in them longer. Suggests that fewer and longer classes accommodate more cooperative learning styles and enhance student academic performance. Includes descriptions of several intensive…

The growth of distance education and the widespread use of multimedia course materials has led to interest in packaging and selling online courses. While few such courses are available, and fewer still have been successful, debate over issues of academic freedom and intellectual property is heightening. Some faculty say the greatest concern is…

This seventh in a series of investigations of the basic communication course at 2- and 4-year colleges and universities that began in 1968 has as its purpose to gather longitudinal data on the nature of the course. This latest study differs somewhat from past studies. The survey instrument from 1999 was revised to include timely concerns such as…