This study, based on interviews and classroom observation, evaluates what seven fifth-grade teachers in California did one autumn when a controversial new state-approved social studies textbook arrived at their doors. By tracking the teachers' daily curriculum decisions for social studies during the first few months following receipt of the…

This guidebook contains training materials to be used by California elementary and middle-level schools in conducting the Program Quality Review (PQR). The PQR process of curriculum self-review enables the school community to focus, through extensive discussion, on how the school's curriculum and instruction can be improved so that all students…

This manual was developed in conjunction with the implementation of the Colorado Effective Education Model, a systems change project designed to develop best educational practices for students with severe disabilities in inclusive settings. The manual presents adaptations to better meet elementary level students' goals and objectives and describes…

This occasional paper describes the National Council for History Education's program of professional development for history teachers along with the principles that were used to institute the program. The manual is intended as a guide for educators to establish their own history colloquium programs. The 10 sections are: (1)…

This document contains guidelines to be used by California schools in conducting the Program Quality Review (PQR). Part 1 describes the major steps in the process--preparation, the curriculum self-review process, and implementation/followup. It also outlines the role of consultants. Part 2 specifies criteria for evaluating curricula (health…

This report describes an application of the Instructional Systems Design (ISD) process to a product knowledge training project for Spectrum Healthcare Solutions, Inc., including the steps and substeps in the phases of analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. The training project was designed to address the need for increased…

The Applied Computer Science Department at Illinois State University is in the process of implementing a reengineered curriculum that utilizes an integrated and spiral approach to subject coverage. The 1996-97 school year was the first year that upper division course prerequisites were based on the new curriculum instead of a mixture of old and…

This paper represents the state of the art of research in library science on professional competencies for academic, public and special libraries since 1985. The seminal research study done on librarian competencies was conducted in 1983-86 by King Research. The goal of the study was to identify the type of skills and knowledge that information…

This paper describes the work in progress of a research team at LICEF Research Center, Tele-universite (Canada) in developing an object-oriented model of a computer-enriched high school, with the goal of bringing about a new vision of education through the use of technology. The model facilitates decision-making by offering a global and integrated…

This paper focuses on the need for continuous evaluation in community college curriculum. During the process of analyzing and updating instruction, curriculum objectives should be recognized, especially: (1) knowledge objectives, which include relevant facts, concepts, and generalizations; (2) skills objectives, such as critical and creative…

Findings of a study that explored the ways in which teachers' understandings about pedagogy evolve are presented in this paper. Previous teacher development research suggests that teachers' understandings evolve in a lawful, linear way. Although the expression of the different levels is clear, the evolution process is not. Methodology involved a…

This paper focuses upon the research and development (R&D) process associated with developing automated feedback materials for the SIMulation NETworking (SIMNET) training system. This R&D process involved a partnership among instructional developers, practitioners, and researchers. Users' input has been utilized to help: (1) design the…

A modular system for undergraduate programs was implemented in three degree programs at Napier University in Scotland. This paper describes the degree course structure prior to 1992-93 and factors leading to change, including university response to government policy encouraging wider access to higher education. A rationale for modularization is…

The roles of perceptions in instructional development and adoption processes were studied with regard to the attributes of three computer-based learning modules designed for use in weather-forecasting agencies as on-site training for forecasters. Twenty-nine forecasters were the potential adoption group studied as intended end-users. Seven…

Focusing on the school district's written expectations for students, this document examines curriculum improvement in four sections, each accompanied by a list of related references. The first section explores the organizational and substantive planning needed to structure any curriculum improvement project effectively and includes information on…