Communities of practice (CoP) are rich learning spaces that support knowledge creation, social engagement and practice improvement. In some university settings, there is a buoyant interest in creating and supporting interdisciplinary knowledge and practice. The purpose of the study was to apply an action research approach to explore the emergence…

This report shares the findings and lessons learned from an investigation into the economics of disaggregated models for assessing and accrediting informal learners undertaking post secondary education. It presents some key economic and governance challenges for universities to consider in implementing OER assessment and accreditation policies. It…

The present study starts describing the relevance of university mission statements and how they have been interacting with the social demands throughout the history of higher education. This way, the recent development of a knowledge economy has strongly impacted universities that look for ways to produce and commercialize ideas (second and third…

In November, 2008, Colorado and Nebraska voted on amendments that sought to end race-based affirmative action at public universities. In anticipation of the vote, Colorado's flagship public institution--The University of Colorado at Boulder (CU)--explored statistical approaches to support class-based affirmative action. This paper details CU's…

This study was designed to carry out a survey of the implementation of continuous assessment (CA) in Nigerian universities. Two research questions and one hypothesis were formulated to guide the study. The sample for the study consisted of 1,340 respondents. A 24 item self-report instrument was used for the study. The data generated, were analyzed…

Peer Advising in Agricultural Education has been operating since the Fall Semester, 1987, at Texas A & M University. The program involves several undergraduate students nominated by faculty, who are supervised by two doctoral students. Responsibilities of the peer advisors include informing students of campus procedures, assisting in…

Goal setting, empowering champions (individuals who make a difference in initiating change), faculty-initiated activities, and faculty-staff development opportunities are the four major factors in determining success in computing at the University of Georgia. Each of these areas is discussed. (JN)

In order to reach instate clientele more efficiently and effectively, agricultural education and home economics teacher educators in the state of Washington have used two-way microwave television technology. The Washington Higher Education Telecommunication System (WHETS) has allowed the Washington State University College of Agriculture and Home…

This paper describes the application of a Total Quality Management strategy called Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) to the projects and activities of an institutional research office at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. PDCA is a cycle designed to facilitate incremental continual improvement through change. The specific steps are…

Redesign of teacher education is not a process to be undertaken except in response to carefully identified goals and objectives. It is essential to involve, in every phase of the process, those who will be most affected by the redesign effort. Prior to undertaking the task of redesign or reform however, it is important to identify the source of…

This kit provides 24 essays on book repair: (1) "Conservation at the American Philosophical Society: An Institutional Profile in 1992" (H. Kyle); (2) "The Book Repair Program at Brigham Young University: An Institutional Profile" (R. Silverman); (3) "Book Repair and Conservation: Conservation Center for Art and Historic…

Proposes the establishment of a Research Foundation for Open Learning, and reflects on the Open University's achievements and the need for change. (Author/AEF)

Carleton University (Ontario, Canada) has implemented an employment equity plan and has received a federal merit award for this program. The program has involved a concrete investment of time and resources for training, review of employment systems, implementation and monitoring, and ongoing attention at the senior policy level. At the outset the…

The Oral Communication Across the Curriculum (OCXC) program is a university-wide program using oral communication activities to enhance learning of course content and to improve oral communication skills of participating students. Implementing OCXC programs in postsecondary institutions involves planning, publicizing, gearing up, conducting,…

The adult education graduate program at Northern Illinois University began offering courses in 1969. Starting points of a progressive agenda were urban, race, and class. Students, many of whom had experience with the social upheavals of the 1960s, along with community-based organizers and the International Council for Adult Education, pushed the…