In this article, the author writes from the perspective of a community college research practitioner, an institutional researcher whose daily work is intended primarily to affect policies, procedures and understanding of student learning and institutional effectiveness. The audience for this work is composed of faculty, administrators, staff,…

Competency-based staff development is an approach to instructor preparation in which the teacher must demonstrate essential tasks in an actual teaching situation. (JOW)

Modular laboratories provide technology education students with valuable experiences, but they are not the total solution. Technology education can aid problem solving, technological literacy, and school-wide curriculum integration, but not within the limits of the modular environment. (JOW)

Discusses a universal foundation upon which a comprehensive supervisory training program may be built. Individual businesses can modify the basic plan, which was developed by the International Labour Organization, to fit their needs. (JOW)

This debate among four educators over the modular approach to technology education produces agreement that it reduces classroom management time, but not all think that is positive. There is agreement that it is an effective method, but disagreement over what purpose it is effective for. (SK)

Profiles Curt Prchal, winner of a Disney American Teacher Award. Describes his modular technology lab approach to developing higher order skills. (JOW)

Teachers must customize and modify existing curriculum to fit their particular needs. Using a modular format or commercially produced material is one tool that educators can use when developing their curriculum. (JOW)

Developed for newly appointed or experienced college instructors, this monograph presents a process for specifying instructional objectives. After chapter 1 provides background on the process of writing learning objectives, chapter 2 defines the terms, "goals,""objectives,""instruction," and "learning." Chapter 3 provides the instructor with a…

Describes a program developed by the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses to provide its members with self-instructional continuing education programs. (JOW)

This case study shows how a team of trainers, instructional designers, and medical experts developed training modules that nurse educators could use in their own medical facilities on their own schedules. (Author)

Perry and Winne (2006) describe their computer program, "gStudy", and argue that it facilitates valid measurement of self-regulated learning (SRL) over time. This commentary addresses the assumptions underlying this argument and raises additional validity questions regarding the use of this tool. These include issues related to the development of…

The comment starts with a review of the authors' four phase model of SRL as metacognitive, motivated, and strategic where it is suggested to complete the model with aspects of motivation, emotion, and attribution. Furthermore, integrating theories about "online motivation" within the model's internal regulatory part and framing it with elements of…

Two issues central to the production of cognitive conflict in the computer environment are discussed. The first one focuses on the use of simulations versus real-world experiences, and the second is directed at the potential for incidental and spontaneous learning versus controlled learning with the computer. (CT)

Four practical, easy-to-use management tools are presented which address data management needs and aid in managing things and people in a competency-based vocational education program. They are the task listing, the learning package, the time card, and the student performance agreement. (LRA)

Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of competency based instruction. Points out that, while not a cure-all, individualized instruction is one of the best available teaching tools. (JOW)