A survey of over 150 baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral programs in social work investigated the kinds of program outcomes assessment systems used. Frequency of use of each system is examined, comparison is made across levels, and implications for social work education at each level are discussed. (Author/MSE)

Discusses concept maps produced by students enrolled in a half-credit distance education history course. Topics include evaluating the effectiveness concept maps as a tool for instruction and for measuring the quality of learning. Student concept maps are compared with those prepared by the authors of the course materials. (46 references) (KRN)

Describes distinctions between networked and traditional information resources, explains how these affect user education, and discusses how to transform traditional library instruction into meaningful network education. The nature of the Internet, the librarian's role, staff training, user instruction, using the network to teach, and opportunities…

Forming the matching variable for the Mantel-Haenszel differential item functioning (DIF) procedure through use of the total score as the matching variable (thin) and forming the matching variable by pooling total score levels (thick) were compared in a Monte Carlo study. Reasons thick matching is superior are discussed. (SLD)

Comparisons of Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised scores, for 24 children with learning disabilities demonstrating a low verbal, high performance intelligence quotient (IQ) discrepancy and 33 slow learning children having uniformly low verbal and performance IQs, revealed few cognitive differences beyond the Performance Scale…

Students in an undergraduate political science course that integrated classroom instruction and community service (n=37) were significantly more likely than were those in traditional discussion sessions (n=52) to report that they had performed to their potentials, learned to apply principles, and developed a greater awareness of social problems.…

Several validation methods for the identification and dissemination of exemplary educational programs are explored, and the rationales for methods developed by the Program Effectiveness Panel are discussed. Comparative advantages and disadvantages of four selected methods are reviewed, and recommendations are made for policymakers and…

It is widely claimed that public schools do not prepare students for academic success or for success in the workplace and that public investment in nonpublic schooling would remedy these problems. These conclusions are analyzed with reference to international studies of student achievement, and their validity is challenged. (SLD)

Reports on a survey of 631 colleges that investigated changes in library instruction and compared the results with previous LOEX (Library Orientation/Instruction Exchange) studies (1979, 1987). Provides data on size and type of institution, administration of instruction, types and methods of instruction (required, print, nonprint, methods used,…

Reports on the use of a computerized simulation integrated within a preservice methods course for early-childhood majors. Compares the difference in response to importance, knowledge, and attitude related to computer utilization in the course between the computer-simulation group and a control group taught by traditional means. (Author/LRW)

Reports on findings of a joint Sino-Japanese study comparing conventional and television-based higher education in China, examining student satisfaction and student expectation of higher education, relative to the resourcing of conventional and radio and television universities ("universities without walls") in China. Reports on a…

Describes a study that investigated the use of a natural language processing technique called noun phrasing to determine whether it is a viable technique for medical information retrieval. Evaluates four noun phrase generation tools for their ability to isolate noun phrases from medical journal abstracts, focusing on precision and recall.…

Review of research on trends in teaching second-language listening focuses primarily on strategy instruction and a strategy-based approach but also refers to developments in terms of listening and "high-tech contexts," interactive listening, and academic listening. Classroom listening textbooks are discussed, with attention to the mismatch between…

A survey of 49 university and other research administrators investigated attitudes concerning research productivity and measures to assess it. Results are compared with those of an earlier survey of research scientists, including a rank-order comparison of the relative importance of a number of productivity measures. Implications for demonstrating…

Describes a study conducted at Illinois State University that compared the results achieved by library users searching the ERIC database on CD-ROM with the results achieved by individual and teamed skilled intermediaries. Evaluation of library services is discussed, patron search strategies are examined, and strategies for improving patron…