The six editions of this newsletter provide a forum for the sharing of research findings and instructional strategies by faculty of Western Michigan University on issues connected with critical thinking. Topics addressed include alternative program designs for critical thinking instruction, a philosophical exploration of what critical thinking is,…

Explores the use of cluster programs as alternatives to the curricular core or distributional requirements for organizing general education. Uses a case study methodology to evaluate the planning processes utilized in curriculum development for a cluster program, where faculty must plan simultaneously at individual course, cluster or sequence, and…

Outlines six classroom strategies used in a mainstreamed high school biology course and describes some of the changes Catholic University is making through a dean's grant to integrate preparation for mainstreaming into its preservice teacher education program. (SJL)

Effective teaching was the focus of a great deal of research during the 1970s. Many relationships between how teachers teach and what students learn were identified. Findings emerged from studies using a wide variety of methodologies. Thus far, findings from the research on teaching have been used primarily to improve the instruction of inservice…

Problem areas with the curriculum at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Rutgers Medical School were identified: imbalance in class hours in the academic schedule, excessive number of lectures, and need for more small group sessions during the basic science education. (MLW)

The six editions of the newsletter provide a forum for the sharing of research findings and instructional strategies by faculty of Western Michigan University. Topics addressed include: active learning; lecture variations; lecture techniques; grading student participation; leading discussions; overcoming silence; discussion challenges; course…