The Special Intensive Program for Scientists and Engineers (SIPSE) at Diablo Valley College in California replaces the traditional engineering calculus and physics sequences with a single sequence that combines the two subjects into an integrated whole. The project report provides an overview of SIPSE, a section that traces the project from…

In an effort to expand the teaching of culture related to the French language, a high school French teacher undertook a project to teach francophone culture in countries other than France. The report begins with an extensive discussion and review of literature concerning the extent and diversity of the francophone world, the role of cultural…

Many college mission statements convey the importance of citizenship education to prepare future leaders. However, values education often remains, at best, peripheral to the community college curriculum. This digest provides an examination of the classical and current approaches to community college values education. According to the digest,…

Individualization in freshman composition is necessitated not only by the individual differences of students but also by their varying writing competencies. (Editor)

The process of course accreditation revealed basic, unresolved ideological differences within the disciplines that affected course development. Certain curriculum development procedures are recommended to help avoid or resolve these conflicts and facilitate accreditation. (MSE)

The College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, engaged in an innovative, intense approach to clerkship curriculum development based on the nominal group process. The nominal group process is defined as a method of soliciting ideas and constructive input from experts with differing backgrounds and perceptions. (Author/MLW)

Discusses problems in Canadian environmental education, stressing the scarcity of geographical concepts in course content at all levels. Research indicates the lack of a coherent policy toward environmental education and a shortage of skilled teachers. The author recommends that geographers actively assist educators in applying geographic…

Offers reasons why microelectronics and computing should be combined and offered as a specialized course, different from both physics and mathematics. Includes course content and discusses subject combinations within school science and technology departments. (Author/SK)

The laboratory curriculum of an introductory physical geology course which emphasizes a peer-learning approach is discussed. (Author/SA)

Describes an introductory undergraduate survey course on European history that incorporates three interrelated sections: constitutional government in Europe, the American revolution, and the French Revolution. The instruction emphasizes the interconnectedness among the events and includes repetition of key ideas and information. Discusses the…

Provides an overview and an examination of educational didactics in Sweden. In this context, didactics refers to the study of what content is chosen and how it is taught. Some theorists have extended this to include how students conceptualize what they are taught. Discusses the conflicting schools of thought. (MJP)

Identifies six significant themes for teaching intermediate macroeconomics at the college level. Included are the need for a unifying approach, adaptability of course content, emphasis on formalism, coordination within the economics curriculum, stimulation of student learning, and needs for assessment. Discusses additional options for…

Argues that college students are generally less dependent and more motivated to learn than is generally assumed, based on a survey of 252 third-year University of South Africa students. Recommends that academic departments find new ways of accommodating learner self-direction, re-examine traditional teaching paradigms, and continuously evaluate…

Asserts that the definition of diversity has changed from one of simply adding issues and subjects to a curriculum to one of transforming the relations between parts, and in the process reconceiving the whole. Presents several curricular models and goals for student learning that incorporate this approach. (MJP)

A model for a course for future human-service professionals. It uses scenarios to better prepare pre-professionals in social work, education, criminal justice, and health to serve as advocates for children and families, and to work together to address the challenges they will encounter. (Contains 2 figures and 11 references.) (WFA)