Current forms of marketisation in university systems create pressures towards purely ends-focused expectations among students and have implications for learning and assessment processes. The potential harm that these trends have on "learning" should be resisted by educators and students alike. Critical Pedagogy approaches offer one way…

This study examined the effectiveness of providing instructional support for the self-regulation of a self-directed homework assignment. Across four parallel experiments, university students completed an online module on critical thinking. In Experiment 1, participants who were prompted on a broad spectrum of study strategies showed superior…

Nursing students used a research module either in self-study groups (n=6) or class sessions (n=6). There were few differences in knowledge or attitudes. Overall, the ratings were higher for those in the taught class rather than self-study. (SK)

Describes a first-year zoology course at University College Cardiff based on a self-instructional system using printed texts, audiovisual programs, and integrated practical work. (Author/BB)

Argues that teaching innovation in the university is influenced by teacher attitudes and the existence of satisfactory teaching materials. Teaching packages from the Open University in England are described. (JJD)

This guide is designed to assist engineering teachers in developing an understanding of fluid mechanics in their students. The course is designed around a set of nine self-paced learning modules, each of which contains a discussion of the subject matter; incremental objectives; problem index, set and answers; resource materials; and a quiz with…

The use of the instructional module in college teaching is discussed. The module is an independent learning package that emphasizes students' learning activities rather than teacher activities. Along with independent modular activities such as reading, writing, discussing, and problem solving, students can use more class time to write, inquire,…

Learning style preferences of a group of nursing students was analyzed to determine whether the development of self-instructional modular learning packages would be an educationally sound means for presenting didactic content to students. A total of 38 junior baccalaureate nursing students completed the Canfield Learning Styles Inventory. Results…

This program was designed to permit students to enroll in elementary Spanish in any academic term. A lesson packet containing five parts was designed to accompany a regular text for first-year college Spanish. During the first week of classes, the students meet in a large group for instruction on how to learn a language and how to use the…

The bulk of this book consists of case studies of a variety of forms of individualized instruction, including Keller Plan courses. The last third of the book deals with the general aspects of using an individualized system of instruction. This portion contains many suggestions about the operational details of an individualized course. (Author/BB)

Changes made in the Czechoslovakian system of undergraduate study to accommodate individualized and independent study as a major form of instruction are outlined, including the use of learning modules, instructional objectives, student-teacher communication through written instructions, self-grading and self-correction, and grading and promotion…

A study investigated student use of a collection of self-directed anatomy learning modules designed to help students prepare for tutorial discussions of health care problems. The surveyed students (n=80) reported that module use depended on program level and premedical background in biology, not on tutor or preceptor requirements. Students who…

A project management design for modularizing higher education at open universities was developed and tested. Literature in the fields of project management and development of modular curriculum materials was reviewed and used as a basis for developing a project-based approach to the process of developing modules for self-instruction. According to…

An instructional module is presented to promote a conceptual understanding of test form equating using traditional methods. Equating is distinguished from scaling. The equating methods described are: (1) mean; (2) linear; and (3) equipercentile. The module includes a self-test. (SLD)

An innovative, off-campus course offered by the nursing department at Moorhead State University in Minnesota is described. The course was implemented to meet the requirements of nursing students living in rural towns located some distance from the university department of nursing. This curriculum innovation is examined as a change process that was…