As an alternative to basing course length on a quarter or semester schedule, course division into modules of smaller duration is defended. (JO)

The Colorado College Plan was designed to reconstitute the academic calendar so that student and faculty time would be used more productively. Courses are offered one at a time, rather than simultaneously, in nine blocks, each 3 1/2 weeks in length. The fall semester encompasses four of these blocks and the spring semester contains five. Each…

The Concentrated Study (COS) program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is fulltime study of a single subject for a short period with no concurrent academic commitments. Chapter one describes the first trial of COS at MIT. Emphasis is placed on planning and preparation, description of course work and activities, and evaluation.…

Curricular innovations designed and implemented in the language department at Colorado College which are based on modular scheduling are discussed in this paper. Sequential courses of several varieties are discussed including: principal "full courses;" interdisciplinary courses; "half-courses;" and "adjunct courses." The courses are designed in…

Colleges and universities are attracting and retaining a significant adult market partly by scheduling classes to conform to adult life-styles, including lengthening the academic day, week, and year; altering the timing patterns, sequencing, and distribution of courses; and offering courses at a variety of locations. (MSE)

Intensive scheduling has been shown to be an effective educational medium. The Institute for Personal and Career Development at Central Michigan University has developed an external degree program for adults that uses various innovative approaches including intensive scheduling. Several scheduling patterns are offered. A number of studies have…

This document describes a learning modules review process implemented at Governors State University. The review process was designed to: (1) assess the relevance of each learning module to instructional program needs; (2) enhance the quality of the content of each learning module; (3) improve the effectiveness of competencies and instructional…

A study of the achievement of medical students taking a reduced medical school course load for one or more years showed that an extended program may be useful for students pursuing personal or extracurricular interests and for some with academic problems but not for students with major emotional disturbances. (MSE)

Suggestions are given for innovation in planning international exchange and study abroad programs that maximize an institution's flexibility and reduce cost. These include flexible program length and intensity, flexible planning and contracting options with the corresponding schools, direct negotiations, reciprocity arrangements, and using…

A survey of 12 medical and other health sciences schools which have implemented a standard three-year curriculum in the past few years revealed that only one of these schools is planning to revert to a standard four-year program. Some are introducing more attractive four-year curriculum options. The schools' self-ratings of the success of the…

Recent research by Smith and Glass indicates that academic achievement is often correlated with class size. Findings from the Beginning Teacher Evaluation Study suggest that teachers can do a better job with smaller classes partly because they are able to individualize instruction. Yet the possibility of reducing class size significantly is…