Student outcomes in online courses trail considerably behind those in face-to-face courses. In order to gain insight into why this might be, the Community College Research Center (CCRC) undertook a series of studies that examined 23 high-demand, entry-level online courses at two community colleges in one state. CCRC researchers observed the online…

This paper addresses the hybrid communication course and its tradition of teaching students a variety of important communication skills. The three-fold mission of the hybrid course in teaching interpersonal, group, and public speaking skills places the hybrid communication course in an important position at the dawn of the 21st century. Even…

Focusing on prerequisites, corequisites, and advisories on recommended preparation for existing courses in California's Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District (GCCCD), this document explains new Title 5 regulations adopted by the district Board in October 1994 and provide guidelines for implementation. The following sections are provided:…

Explores the introduction to communication theory course for undergraduates. Discusses several key notions for making the course valuable to the undergraduate: the attitude of the instructor; the attitude of the students; course content and requirements; and evaluation techniques. (SR)

Examines the merit of portfolio evaluation to the establishment of an assessment-centered discourse community and to the creation of a task-oriented pedagogy in the new technical communication service course. Delineates reasons why assessment is important to technical writing. Describes a measurement process for technical writing and the…

The following are some techniques for adding depth to a survey course in mythology: (1) allow students to generate their own list of important mythological characters on which they are to be tested; (2) use films; (3) compare and contrast characters of different mythology systems using discussions, written assignments, and comparison grids; (4)…

Notes one of the most prominent debates in composition over the last 10 years concerns abolition of required first-year English. Elaborates three points as they contribute to the author's overall argument that the abolitionist debate is not one that needs to be resolved, but instead is an exchange of ideas from which others in the field can learn…

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)

Although older people with developmental disabilities are living longer and appearing more often as social work clients, this population has not been included in preparation for practice with older clients. Issues include relationships within and outside the family, resource availability, and care policies. A model for infusion of these issues…

One of the main problems faced by an organizational communication instructor at Southern Methodist University was how to incorporate experiential learning into her survey course without jeopardizing precious class time. After careful consideration, she came up with a course design that she felt would not only provide students with experiential…

Factors in development of a new introductory economics course, primarily for nonmajors, are discussed. These include selection of course content to capture student interest and reflect societal change, creation of a more stimulating classroom environment, and use of three cooperative learning activities on poverty, inflation, and budget deficits.…

This paper describes a series of assignments called "Internet Explorations," which were developed for an introductory public relations course. The three rationales for the assignments in the paper were illustration and application of course concepts to ongoing public relations activities, student exposure to communication strategies, and…

Since 1980, an increasing number of state and local education agencies have reintroduced a world history requirement into their secondary curricula. This ERIC Digest examines five key questions related to that trend. Questions raised, together with some salient points made in the discussion of each, are as follows: (1) What is the background to…

A variety of options for integrating service learning into the college curriculum is outlined, including: fourth credit option; introductory service learning courses; courses linking service and leadership; optional or required course component; significant course requirement; core curriculum component; graduation requirement; disciplinary…

Explains FLEX, foreign language exploratory program, a self-contained presequence course which usually involves a multilanguage contrastive approach and which is given in the grade immediately before year in which students may enroll in first year of standard sequence of second language courses. (Author/BK)