This paper reports on the development of a lecturer's conceptions of teaching through formal training and explores how evolving conceptions of teaching impact on their plans and practices in teaching. In this study, lecturers who are participants in the University of London Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCertHE) wrote narratives…

Current political polarization and competing priorities complicate development of sound education policy. Particularly troubling is the disconnect between research and policy, as decision makers rely more on the work of think tanks and advocacy groups than the knowledge base of the profession. The mismatch between higher education and policy…

Purpose: In the higher education sector, the evaluation of learning and teaching projects is assuming a role as a quality and accountability indicator. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how learning and teaching project evaluation is approached and critiques alignment between evaluation theory and practice. Design/Methodology/Approach:…

This paper addresses the relationship between teaching and research in a fieldwork context by seeking student views over 3 years across two institutions to assess the perceived value of blending staff research activity with student fieldwork. Student views were solicited using questionnaires. Despite the contrasting environments, locations and…

The benefits of students learning together in peer-assisted learning (PAL) programmes have been widely reported. Implementing and evaluating PAL programmes provide specific challenges for academic staff. This paper explains how action research was used to design, trial and refine a same-year PAL programme to enhance student engagement. The PAL…

Research in academic advising has traditionally been conducted and disseminated by faculty researchers, graduate students, and higher education administrators (including advising directors). While significant in developing a body of literature to guide academic advising, the sources of the contribution also suggest that the frontline advisor does…

In the UK policies such as the Children's Plan 2008-2020 through to Promoting the Emotional Health of Children and Young People (2010) identify that professionals such as teachers, youth workers, social workers and youth offending specialists, do not have the necessary underpinning knowledge to adequately support children and young people's…

Describes two methodological approaches (qualitative and quantitative) that grow out of two different research examples. Suggests the problems these methods present. Discusses the ways in which an awareness of these problems can help teachers to understand how to work with researchers in designing useful evaluations of writing programs. (PRA)

Proposes a theoretical frame for technical communication pedagogy based on six layered literacies: basic, rhetorical, social, technological, ethical, and critical. Suggests how the frame can be applied to a program of study or individual course in order to establish teaching objectives; develop course and lesson activities; and assess pedagogical…

Describes a Master's course in accounting that involved practitioners as members of the class who led discussion on an area in which they had expertise. (JOW)

The aim of this article is to present the reader with an accessible and practical account of evaluation as a mode of inquiry within the broad domain of social science. The starting point is the presentation of a general outline of the main milestones relating to the emergence of evaluation as a mode of inquiry and some of the prominent advocates…

Summarizes a study: determining the relevance of a sixth-year program of administrator preparation to requirements of on-the-job success as perceived by male and female graduates; and assessing the feasibility of using generally defined professional study outcomes to measure success. Hewing to "what is" knowledge is a one-dimensional strategy…

Argues against a type of program evaluation of undergraduate institutions that assumes students are products. Proposes that if students are products, then students are raw materials. Discusses the philosophical problems of considering students as raw materials. (DDR)

Describes a continuously evolving, successful Wisconsin model of action research that relies on the collaborative work of schools and universities to improve K-12 programs. The entire collaborative action research model is possible without any reassignment of responsibilities for teachers or faculty. (SM)

Two methods of qualitative program and student evaluation are employed by an experimental thematic teacher education program. Portfolios, maintained throughout undergraduate years, contain evidence reflecting student growth in five categories of teacher decision-making. Case studies assess strategic knowledge demonstrated by student responses to…