"The First-Year Seminar: Designing, Implementing, and Assessing Courses to Support Student Learning and Success," a five-volume series, is designed to assist educators who are interested in launching a first-year seminar or revamping an existing program. Each volume examines a different aspect of first-year seminar design or…

This article presents guidelines designed to assist instructional developers in improving their performance in workload estimates for prospective training development projects. Also provided is a description of an instructional systems development model for estimating, which includes front end analysis, design, implementation, and evaluation. (LRW)

This book is designed to provide specific and practical suggestions for teachers and tutors of adult students. It is divided into two major parts. Part 1, which is devoted to adult learning, includes information on the characteristics of adult learners, their expectations and motivation, and issues related to equal opportunities and access. Part 2…

A three phase study evaluated the comparative effectiveness of various features that comprise a postsecondary writing program. The first phase of the study examined the college composition programs on the 19 California State University (CSU) campuses to identify and describe distinctive program features. The second and third phases measured both…

This staff development program offers practices for K-8 educators who wish to be more effective in responding to the needs of all students, including students with mild exceptional educational needs. The program consists of seven 2.5 hour workshops which include short presentations, readings, and large and small group discussions. Effective…

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…

This document provides an overview of the current literature on distance education. A historical perspective and definitions associated with distance education are presented in the first section. The following theories are also discussed: independence and autonomy; industrialization of teaching; and interaction and communication. A synthesis of…

This discussion of collaboration between general and special educators focuses on selection of instructional interventions in mainstream settings and curriculum-based methods of evaluating programs designed to increase the academic performance of students with and without disabilities. It then suggests ways to incorporate data-based decision…

This pamphlet is intended to assist managers and professional trainers alike in using a systems approach to training. Addressed in the individual sections of the guide are the following topics: identifying the training need (the main job objectives, the conditions under which the job is performed, and the responsibilities it involves); analyzing…

In response to a need expressed by Kentucky teachers for curriculum guides as a very important priority that should be addressed to improve instruction and learning as part of the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA), the study reported here was undertaken. The study investigated the extent to which the state documents and guidelines had been…

Research has established that students generally possess conceptions relevant to curricular topics before they begin to study them and that these preconceptions often persist despite instruction on scientific theories which contradict them. Discrepancies between students' post instruction conceptions and the scientific theories as taught often…

This book presents a blueprint for using a quality assurance-based approach to planning and developing open and distance learning (ODL) courses in the United Kingdom. The following are among the specific topics discussed: (1) typical aims of ODL (opening access to education; responding to student needs; designing self-study materials; student…

This training manual, the first volume in a four-volume series of curriculum guides for use in training Peace Corps agricultural development workers, is an orientation for trainers. The first chapter covers the philosophy and approach of the agricultural development training series as well as preparation for training and staff development.…

This handbook is designed to serve as a reference for office education instructors. Addressed in the individual sections of the guide are the following topics: design and delivery of office education, teacher qualifications and certification requirements, cooperative programs, preemployment laboratory programs, advisory committees, public…

The Mathematics Assessment Process (MAP) for the Middle Grades gives teachers and school reform leaders new tools to examine and systematically realign mathematics programs. MAP engages an interdisciplinary coalition within a school in an exploration of mathematics instructional excellence. Through an extensive self-study, a school answers the…