Examines the high stakes of large-scale mathematics assessment practices and ways in which they are agents of change, focusing on: types of instruments used; how test design informs instructional practice; how dissemination of test information informs instructional practice; and who is responsible or accountable for results. (SM)

Explores the theoretical underpinnings relating to self-regulated learning and considers how classrooms can be structured as self-regulated learning environments. Topics include assumptions about learners and learning processes; design principles; and components of self-regulated learning environments, including learners, teachers, learning tasks…

Distance educators participated in a Delphi study to identify and rank future research and evaluation needs/issues. The study focused on planning for distance education; structuring decisions required for distance education; the implementation process; and evaluation needs in documenting outcomes. Four themes emerged: cooperation and collaboration…

Discusses the importance of needs assessment and analysis in performance technology and describes an effort to introduce graduate students to analysis at San Diego State University. Highlights include instructional strategies; the use of technology in a distance course via the Internet; and difficulties that novices have with analysis. (LRW)

Presents key steps to ensure a productive evaluation of technology use in Head Start programs. Steps include acquiring background information on current technology status in the program and community; agreeing on a framework of roles, responsibilities, and objectives in assessment; identifying the desired accomplishments from educational…

Describes teaching-to-learn activities in a community service setting involving nonscience majors in an introductory natural science course at a community college, middle school students, and a Cub Scout pack of home schooled, elementary-aged children. (SAH)

Introduces a role playing activity that actively engages students in the learning process of mitosis. Students play either chromosomes carrying information, or cells in the cell membrane. (Contains 11 references.) (Author/YDS)

Analyzes three widely-held conceptions of critical thinking: as one or more skills, as mental processes, and as sets of procedures. Considers each a misconception and offers alternative proposals for teaching critical thinking. (CMK)

Researchers examined Hong Kong teachers' and principals' perceptions of using classroom observation for faculty development and evaluation. Surveys indicated that the current practice was mainly for evaluation. Elementary teachers were least likely to welcome observers. All respondents wished for a model of peer observation and coaching. More…

Discusses problems related to the separation of subject matter and method in the education of social studies teachers, examining the rethinking of subject matter and methods education and explaining that in order to have effective social studies instruction, there is no alternative to the thorough education of teachers in the subject matters of…

This paper answers several frequently asked questions about constructivism, including how to define it, how to plan the curriculum, how to assess student understanding, what to do with the information, where to begin, how students work in a constructivist classroom, and why constructivism is important. (SM)

Discusses possibilities and dangers involved with using hypertext for learning; explains how it is similar to and different from other forms of information generation, organization, storage, and retrieval; examines its influence on the information it organizes; and explores problematic issues (including the potential for bias and distortion within…

The six chapters of this theme issue attempt to define conceptual and methodological issues in the evaluation of integrated services systems and to begin to synthesize some of these issues. An introduction to these evaluation issues is followed by case studies and a discussion of implications for program and policy development. (SLD)

Shows how a writing exercise requiring students to write to themselves five years into the future has a dramatic effect on them and helps them, perhaps for the first time, to think about their futures. (TB)

The Nominal Group Technique, in which groups of students jointly evaluate a course, is proposed as an alternative to individual course evaluation questionnaires for student assessment of college teacher performance. Evaluation of a new course by three cohorts of students using the technique is reported. Strengths and weaknesses emerging in the…