Evaluation as a field has moved beyond debating whether certain designs are good while others are bad to begin to appreciate that each of a group of designs may have its uses. The importance of good designs that reflect real-world complexities is increasingly being recognized. (SLD)

Unless more resources are devoted to the development of social programs, summative evaluation will increasingly become a waste of time. Formative evaluation and tactical research will become more important to the extent that they actively assist in creation of social programs, increasing challenges to the integrity and validity of their work. (SLD)

The reliability and validity of a newly constructed instrument, the Breast Self-Examination Proficiency Rating Instrument, was tested with 84 instructed and 80 uninstructed nursing students. Results support beginning reliability and preliminary validity when the instrument is used in a controlled setting. (SLD)

Compares the writing of two students--a competent writer and a weak one--in a technical communication course before and after discussion of design principles. Finds that a basic understanding of design principles helped them improve document macrostructure but had little effect on document microstructure. Suggests that integrating document design…

Discusses how a student teacher tried to teach with real books, especially those written by and for Native Americans. Notes that the cooperating teacher's idea of literature study was to teach particular reading skills and to use worksheets and comprehension questions. Appends a 17-item annotated bibliography of recommended books about Native…

Describes a new special education teacher's first year of teaching with 26 children, grades K-3, interweaving life skills with literacy skills. (SR)

Describes a seven-day vocabulary building unit for language deficient high school students that revolved around ice cream, fat content of foods, and heart disease. (RS)

Explains pros and cons of whole-group instruction and ability grouping, based on research evidence. Whole-group instruction is convenient for teaching the same skills or subject to a class, making assignments, administering tests, setting group expectations, and making announcements. Critics contend that whole-group instruction fails to meet…

This paper examines contributions of a functional curriculum approach to achievement of functional communication by students with moderate/severe disabilities. It proposes that best practice needs to focus more specifically on the quality of social interactions with students throughout the day, by emphasizing the role of communication partners in…

Outlines the ETHICS methodology for workplace system design. This structured approach includes recognizing needs, setting objectives, choosing strategies, and evaluating results. Through user involvement, effective communication, and informed choice, ETHICS seeks to achieve greater realization of the advantages of new work systems. (JKP)

Describes the Ford Motor Company's satellite-based communications network called FORDSTAR that links the home office to all dealers in the United States and Canada in order to offer training that will improve customer satisfaction. Equipment, interactivity, data transmission, and future possibilities are discussed. (LRW)

A subordinate evaluation instrument was used to identify factors that employees of Dayton-Montgomery County (OH) Public Library value in their supervisors. Results suggest that subordinates place considerable value on supervisors as role models and expect supervisors to treat them with respect and to encourage their opinions. Implications of these…

Presents a methodology for marketing an information service which focuses on including information users in the strategic marketing planning process. Identifies the following stages of a marketing planning process: analysis of the environment, information audit, information needs assessment, market opportunity analysis, tactical marketing program,…

Discusses constructivist teaching, students' prior knowledge, teachers' construction of models of students' mathematics, and the need to make the role of the mathematics teacher problematic. (three references) (MKR)

High school physics students (n=41) were exposed to both massed and distributed practice on two different physics topics. Results suggest that using distributed practice in high school physics classrooms can lead to higher student achievement. (11 references) (Author/MKR)