We obtained data from pre- and postcourse questionnaires given in an Introduction to the Psychology Major course taught for 10 semesters and compared these data with institutional outcomes concerning the students' last known major and their graduation status. We found the questionnaire reliably measured (a) vocational identity, (b) knowledge of…

Because of the great promise of distance learning for delivering cost-effective instruction, there is great interest in determining whether or not it actually is effective, and--more interesting--determining what variables of design and implementation make it more or less effective. Unfortunately, much of the research has been based on simple…

This paper calls for the standardization of the speech communication basic course at large universities where many sections are taught a semester by graduate students and adjunct faculty. The paper discusses the faculty vision for a standardized basic communication course and suggests that standardization is one of the ways that communication…

Although a history and systems course in psychology should provide a valuable forum for organizing the discipline, no current texts consistently provide enough coverage of the context in which the discipline emerged to anchor developments throughout the history of psychology. To test the validity of this observation, 10 undergraduate history and…

A study investigated whether the computer anxiety of novice users would be reduced more with graphic user interfaces than with command line interfaces. Computers have become an integral part of communication research, and undergraduates are being required to take research courses that necessitate the use of computers. Forty-five students enrolled…

This book advocates providing high-quality K-6 social studies instruction. The text provides practical information on how teachers can conduct high-quality social studies programs in their classrooms. The volume is divided into three parts. Part 1 offers an overview of the formal and informal social studies curriculum, its history, current status,…

A study was done of college undergraduates' views of course syllabi as syllabi are generally the primary vehicles by which course instructors initially communicate plans, goals, and expectations to students. The study proceeded with an open-ended, one-question survey distributed to students in seven undergraduate classes from four different…

This paper, a general introduction to composition class for graduate students (at Illinois State University) not all of whom are necessarily teaching composition at the time they are taking the course, is organized around Andrea Lunford's categories in her essay "Rhetoric and Composition": questions about writers, questions about…

A description is provided of "Fundamentals of Nursing," a two-year college course designed to introduce nursing students to the basic principles of patient care. First, information is presented on the place of the course in the nursing curriculum, in-class time allotments, and course prerequisites. A section on course content includes a statement…

An outline for an introductory course designed to present the fundamentals of Gregg shorthand is given. The objectives listed are: (1) to be able to read Gregg shorthand symbols rapidly and accurately; (2) to develop proficiency in vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar as it relates to shorthand theory; and (3) to develop speed and…

Reviews the ten imperative needs of education as they relate to the teaching of journalism at the secondary level. (RB)

Argues that the proliferation of teaching methods and materials in recent years has resulted in low quality instruction and concludes that the "over-production" of freshman English will cease when teachers begin to feel that what they "teach is worth the trouble." (RB)

This manual for secondary school teachers offers sample lesson plans that may be used to guide and stimulate experimentation and development of creative instructional units. Lesson plan components are defined, and various types of lessons and their significant characteristics are identified. These characteristic types of lessons are illustrated,…

A proposal is presented for a Community College of Philadelphia Life Sciences and Allied Health Services course in Badminton. Following a standard cover form, a statement of purpose explains that the course is designed to introduce students to the techniques, knowledge, and strategies of badminton. Next, course goals and a course outline are…

A proposal is presented for a Community College of Philadelphia Life Sciences and Allied Health Services course in tennis. Following a standard cover form, a statement of purpose explains that the course is designed to provide instruction and practice in the basic tennis techniques of the forehand, backhand, serve, volley, and overhead. Next,…