A study in one private university classified four academic disciplines as hard or soft and pure or applied, then compared student evaluations of courses for organization, breadth of coverage, group interaction, enthusiasm, grading, and individual rapport. Results suggest a single evaluation form may not be appropriate for all disciplines.…

In response to optometry student complaints about group scores as an inadequate reflection of individual effort, two different procedures for assessing individual contributions to a group learning project were investigated, one based on evaluations by students outside the group and one using student evaluations of their fellow group members'…

Describes a study of high school teachers in Taiwan that was conducted to determine how computers were used for instruction and learning; how teachers taught with and about computers; teachers' attitudes and opinions; and differences between boys', girls', and coeducational schools in the instructional uses of computers. (nine references) (LRW)

Describes a study of the use of captioned television to improve the reading comprehension and vocabulary skills of U.S. Navy sailors that was conducted to help find low-cost, low-intervention methods of improving reading skills. Results for experimental and control groups are compared, and the evaluation questionnaire is appended. (17 references)…

Observes that students in introductory and intermediate economics courses often have difficulty understanding concepts of trade and budget deficits. Presents a graphical technique to be used as a framework for teaching these concepts in the classroom. Claims that this technique is effective in other comparative statistics exercises. (NL)

Social-emotional behaviors of 76 adolescents with moderate to profound hearing impairment enrolled in residential and public schools were assessed by their classroom teachers. No significant differences were found between students in total communication and oral programs, nor between students in residential and public schools. Contradictions with…

Uses handwriting samples of 12 undergraduates to explore whether teachers give higher marks to students' work in good handwriting and whether the students' gender may be surmised by their handwriting. Results show grading is not influenced by handwriting quality and finds no effect of gender attribution on grades assigned. (NL)

Describes the development and testing of student remedial literacy portfolios for use in teacher education and discusses the use of case methods in teacher education. Highlights include a review of relevant literature; a sample portfolio case study that contrasted three presentation methods, including hypermedia; and a group reading of a…

Examines an online searching instructional program for high school seniors from the perspective of several cognitive learning theories and proposes a synthesized approach to applying learning theory to bibliographic instruction. Topics discussed include concept-based teaching; novice versus expert search methods; mental models; cognitive…

Describes an expository writing course designed to teach students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (New York) how to analyze the language and culture of professional literature. The roles of writing instructors and librarians are explained for an assignment that involves comparing 2 issues of the same journal--current and 20-years-old. (LRW)

Considers whether ability grouping can be implemented more effectively than is typical explores the possibility of high-quality instruction in low-ability classes using data from 112 eighth- and ninth-grade ability-grouped English classes. Two examples of apparently effective instruction in low tracks are presented. (SLD)

Compares student reactions to a videoconferencing-based course with reactions to a traditionally delivered course in training and human resource development. Overall, responses were similar; however, students in the traditional classroom were more likely to agree that the instructor used class time effectively and that the instructor allocated…

A survey of 53 undergraduates at Aberdeen University (Scotland) to assess the quality and nature of student's learning in a Web-based system. Shows students exercised greater freedom in studying, had little difficulty accessing computers, and experienced few technical failures. Study found students printed Web documents immediately and few sought…

Considers the computerization of an English-language placement test for delivery on the World Wide Web. Describes a pilot study to investigate potential bias against students who lack computer familiarity or have negative attitudes towards technology, and assesses the usefulness of the test as a placement instrument by comparing the accuracy of…

Compares the academic achievement of students from two Dutch medical schools, one employing problem-based learning (PBL) and one using non-PBL methods. No systematic differences were found on total test scores. Differences were demonstrated only at the level of individual questions. Results indicate that PBL and non-PBL instructional methods have…