A study of the writing disorders shown by students (n=260) taught by different methods of reading and writing found that pupils learning by a global-natural method make errors related more to reproductive aspects of information, whereas children taught by the phonic and syllabic methods made more errors of meaning. (Author/MSE)

Two studies were conducted to examine the effectiveness of using study guides with learning-disabled, remedial, and regular education students enrolled in secondary social studies and science classes. Results indicated that study guides, whether teacher-directed or student-directed, produced significantly higher performance than self-study.…

To gather evidence in support of the relationship between writing and learning, a controlled experiment in a course in foreign policy analysis was introduced. The students who wrote more did not receive higher grades than those who had the traditional lecture format. (MLW)

Specific suggestions are provided for modifying instructional materials and methods to meet the needs of students with mild handicaps. An organizational framework for making systematic decisions about instructional adaptation is presented, calling for comparing characteristics of the material or technique with the characteristics of the learner in…

Describes a visit by two educators to a primary school in Auckland, New Zealand. Discusses the development of children, educational goals, traditions, curricula, administration, and facilities of this New Zealand school. Finds the major difference is the New Zealand school's child-centered approach. (MS)

A review of 12 investigations concerning longterm academic effects of early intervention for preschool hearing-impaired children suggests that children with severe/profound hearing losses before age two who receive total communication in a cognitive-oriented parent-infant language program will be more successful academically than similar children…

Discussion of CD-ROM evaluation and selection processes focuses on a pairwise comparison method for knowledge acquisition with a consistency measure as a validation technique. Highlights include human experts' preferences and judgments; a CD-ROM selection model, including format, contents, usage, and technical considerations; and consistency…

Measured whether beginning foreign language classes are more communicative now than they were 17 years ago. Two sets of classroom observations looked at the types and amounts of speaking activities in which beginning foreign language students engage in order to determine how and to what extent students practice the language artificially and as a…

Compares lecture, video, and computer-assisted instruction (CAI) to identify which method produces more immediate and long-term recall of the information presented in an introductory college mass communications course. Findings showed that CAI and lecture formats seemed to provide better opportunity for immediate recall, although no single method…

Provides an overview of this issue focusing on relationships between instructional design (ID) and classroom teachers. Topics addressed include ID in teacher planning, including the systems approach; teachers' understanding of learning theory; instructional planning; a comparison of experiences of educators who were trained in ID; and distance…

Describes a study that compared figures derived from a questionnaire-based, book availability survey and from computer records of the use of the library's catalog. Although differences emerged, it was concluded that the computer monitoring technique could act as a surrogate for availability surveys. (AEF)

The lack of adequate and appropriate methods for assessing the effectiveness of interdisciplinary higher education programs is discussed. Barriers to evaluation are examined and examples of locally designed and standardized program evaluation measures are described briefly and compared. Specific recommendations are made for designing evaluations.…

The McMaster University (Canada) undergraduate medical program participated in a nine-school self-study of clinical evaluation. Comparison of top-ranked problems found lack of transmission of evaluative information from one clerkship unit to subsequent ones to be a common problem. Faculty unwillingness to record negative evaluations was exclusive…

This study compares teaching methods, time spent, and materials used in the existing preclinical teaching efforts of dental schools in 11 Northern European states (Belgium, Denmark, Eire, Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and United Kingdom). Results reveal considerable variation in the teaching of preclinical…

Reviews three areas of limitations in the comparative evaluations of early intervention alternatives for disabled children presented in this volume: (1) inaccurate outcomes measures; (2) a misconception of parent training programs as representing true family involvement; (3) and the lack of control over the integrity of treatment given study…