A rationale is set forth for curriculum analysis based on the concept of design as opposed to formal theory. A schema based on that rationale is presented, and an exploratory application of those schema is made to some of the curricular introductions in the field of general education. (Author/SF)

Describes a highly structured six-week teaching unit. Utilizing a variation of criterion grading, it is aimed at quickly producing dramatic improvement in writing skills, with a substantial saving in the amount of time and effort required of the teacher. The program has been tested with college freshmen. (Author/SJL)

College students who preferred a highly structured classroom situation but were in a section with low structure had lower mean achievement than had other students. (Editor)

Merges the following into a model: various writer's refinements to systematic instructional design and development and the author's practical experience. There are four phases: competency identification, overall design, production, and evaluation, each of which is broken into a series of steps for thinking and doing. (Author/JEG)

An audio-visual course in Russian culture is given at Northern Illinois University. A collection of 4-5,000 color slides is the basis for the course, with lectures focussed on literature, philosophy, religion, politics, art and crafts. Acquisition, classification, storage and presentation of slides, and organization of lectures are discussed. (CHK)

A limited approach to team teaching at the college level is described and assessed. Two instructors with solo assignments collaborated to teach a single instructional unit across separate sections of an interdisciplinary course. The experience demonstrated that small-scale joint teaching can have significant advantages while avoiding the practical…

Analysis of 46 reports of college career development courses since the 1920s found that, in 38 studies reporting output variables, 90% indicated [positive changes; of 15 studies reporting outcomes, 13 showed positive impact, especially on retention. (Contains 102 references.) (SK)

Discusses 30 institutions participating in a program exploring how large-enrollment introductory courses can be redesigned using technology to extend access to a new population of students without trading quality for cost savings. (EV)

Explains problem-based learning (PBL) and describes the role of technology in developing undergraduate PBL at the University of Delaware. Discusses integrating information technology and PBL; using course Web sites to organize PBL courses; and using online resources to support PBL courses. (LRW)

Discusses quality assurance benchmarks for distance education and describes results of a survey of academic staff at higher education institutions in Hong Kong that measured their perception of quality assurance in Web-based learning. Examines institutional support; course development; teaching/learning process; course structure; student support;…

Describes a personal finance course which uses special assignments designed to improve oral and written communication skills. Discusses assignments such as journal writing, letter writing, discussions with guest speakers, researching major household purchases, and managing a personal investment portfolio. (RS)

Provides an overview of a graduate course on particulate processes, especially on crystal size distribution (CSD). Describes the course and includes a list of course topics. Discusses the CSD simulation and manipulation. (YP)

Presents a framework used at Western State College to teach an interdisciplinary general education course. The framework helps students organize a large volume of material about Contemporary World Cultures according to a taxonomy of human experience, including artistic/literary expression; thought and belief; relationships/associations with…

Discusses an interdisciplinary course on the psychology and philosophy of William James. Describes course organization and goals. Explains that the course includes sections on James' life and personal characteristics, his psychological and philosophical works, and specific psychological and philosophical topics that he addressed. Assesses…

A law school course about the Constitution's history and theory in the era of its framers is described. The course explores their learning, ideas, and vision and examines the document's intellectual background, writing and ratification processes, major issues and alternatives confronted, and ideas about its function as a form of government. (MSE)