The need to develop an integrative readiness of future specialists is a relevant scientific problem. The reasons for this could be based on the fact that that the specialists-to-be were expected to be involved in the fierce competition for vacancies and areas of activity, have modern information and communication tools, i.e. have an integrative…

Nearly 100 students were given a Pre-Test in psychology on the first day of class without warning in order to assess their knowledge of basic course content derived from the prerequisites of the course (PSYC-100 Introduction to Psychology or PSYC-220 Child Development) and other life experiences. This was intended as a low-stakes testing…

Many programmes in further and higher education contain sensitive areas of content, such as diversity, racism, power and privilege, breaking bad news, counselling, sex education and ethical decision making. Team teaching may be a useful method for delivering sensitive areas of course content. This article presents a pilot study that was undertaken…

Although creativity courses in the academic community often are not taken seriously, they can and should be a transformational journey for the student, involving exciting but sometimes painful unlearning of old structures and development of new conceptual systems. (DB)

A learning paradigm for teaching social work research is offered as an alternative to the consumership models, the researcher as technician models, and the integration of research into other curriculum areas. (Editor/KE)

The Maryland career course is a one-credit career planning course for undecided undergraduates based on William Perry's (1970) model of intellectual and ethical development. The Perry model can be described using four major and sometimes overlapping divisions which represent a series of positions on learning, i.e., Dualism, Multiplicity,…

Describes and outlines the general syllabus of a philosophy course entitled, "Minds and Robots." Lists the assigned readings and explains the issues addressed in the 14-week course. Essay questions that are used for the mid-term and final exams are also included. (ML)

Describes a remedial college course in which discovery-based teaching and physical models are employed to teach students how to think. Discusses program content, program structure, program goals, results of the course, and the impact on student success in future science and math courses. (DKM)

Discusses the difficulties of providing unity in introductory political science classes. Argues that beginning students will better understand politics if they are shown how to conceive of political figures and events in the same terms as their own experience. Urges a definition of politics that stresses people's relations to one another rather…

Examines and proposes a synthesis of the theoretical tenets of ecumenical religious principles and cognitive-developmental stages of moral reasoning as a basis for value development. Makes a case for formal programs and curriculum development during the college years and provides an example of coursework designed to promote systematic…

An approach to teaching university-level environmental education that uses structured controversy to challenge and enhance students' conceptions of environmental issues is described. Students are confronted with alternative viewpoints and evidence and engage in peer discussion to formulate their own position, understand other viewpoints, see the…

An attempt to portray the nature of the learning task in university engineering courses is presented. Introductory courses are described first and are then compared to the upper level courses. Emphasis is put on three introductory courses to determine what skills students bring into the introductory course, what the learning task is, and how…

Explains how a writing course with lyric poetry as its subject matter, when designed according to cognitivist principles, provides an environment in which students can grow as writers and also mature in their ability to respond to literature. (HOD)

Describes the evolution of the Rochester Institute of Technology's course on reading and thinking in science and technology for hearing-impaired students, featuring instructional enrichment and problem-solving components that reinforce students' application of problem-solving approaches beyond the course. (CB) (Adjunct ERIC Clearinghouse on…

Describes the genesis of a developmental critical-thinking course offered at Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU) that melds two imperatives: to provide a comprehensive developmental-education program and to satisfy the critical-thinking requirements of the job market and the university. Provides some preliminary evaluation results from faculty…