Student satisfaction with 8 methods of collecting college student evaluations of instruction was studied by asking students in 32 classes (ranging from 20 to 110 students) to rate the methods. Students prefer interview methods at midterm followed by instructor reaction to traditional approaches such as standardized end-of-course rating forms. (SLD)

Describes an integrated thematic unit for children from kindergarten to third grade. Explains that the unit incorporates reading, speaking, writing, science, mathematics, social studies, and art into the study of whales. Suggests learning activities on echolocation, migration, measurement, scrimshaw, history, and human interaction with the…

Describes a take-home experiment in which students measure the diffusion of acid through acid-filled capillary tubes immersed into base solutions and vice versa. Students represent and analyze the effects of ambient temperature, molecular weight, and concentrations of the solutions on that movement. (MDH)

Former dean reflects on experiences as dean at a college of education, noting dilemmas colleges face in creating a mission. The article discusses central activities for deans: educating faculty and administrators, compiling data, building development funds, and hiring faculty. It also addresses problems and prospects for deans in the 1990s. (SM)

Describes a program of supervision built around the goal of preparing reflective teachers. Additionally, the article presents results of a case study research project that reveals both success and failure at reaching this goal. Also, the authors discuss model reflectivity from their own teacher education practice. (GLR)

Explains the need for meaningful performance measures in libraries and the Total Quality Management (TQM) approach to data collection. Five tools representing different stages of a TQM inquiry are covered (i.e., the Shewhart Cycle, flowcharts, cause-and-effect diagrams, Pareto charts, and control charts), and benchmarking is addressed. (Contains…

Examines the need for and uses of statistical data about school library media centers; describes data currently collected by the states; discusses national data collection efforts, including an increasing emphasis on output measures; recommends further actions that should be taken; and suggests future possibilities. (six references) (LRW)

Compares the exercise attitudes, knowledge, and habits of 1,833 alumni from 4 colleges, 3 of which had varying degrees of required conceptually based physical education. Results indicate that physical education programs with a required concepts of physical activity course appear to affect alumni values and attitudes about exercise. (GLR)

Discusses business training programs and the productivity of training materials, and presents a case study that describes the experiences of a university-based electronic curriculum development group that was involved with the conversion of an existing text curriculum to a multimedia CD-ROM format. Data collection with videotaped interviews is…

Using classroom-based instruction and on-the-job monitoring and feedback, seven teachers were trained to systematically observe the data collection and teaching performances of their assistants as well as to provide contingent feedback. The supervisory training for teachers was accompanied by improvement in data collection among seven of eight…

Presents two groups of text encoding problems encountered by the Brown University Women Writers Project while using Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML) to create a database of book transcriptions: dual emendation and correction, and multiple hierarchies. Offers several possible approaches to these encoding problems and analyzes the issues…

This case report describes treatment of a 6-year-old boy with oppositional defiant disorder with Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, an empirically validated treatment for children with externalizing behavior problems. Data collection methods included completion of parent and teacher reports, behavior observations during every clinic session, and…

Outlines efforts of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) to improve the collection and analysis of data relevant to classroom instructional processes. These include (1) the inclusion of videotaping in studies of classroom methods; (2) improved surveys of instructional practices; and (3) studies of daily instructional logs kept by…

A study of 13 national and state data collection programs examined the exclusion of students with disabilities from data collection programs evaluating student educational outcomes. Eight recommendations are offered for improving the collection and reporting of information in state and national data collection programs. (Author/CR)

Explores current and future challenges to children in Europe. Social trends and the impact on European family life are analyzed, including having smaller families and delaying childbearing. Discusses the need to collect data on children in the European Union and to establish pan-European child protection policies. (CR)