Provides abstracts of eight selected ERIC documents, each of which presents a model for community college program evaluation and includes a rationale and procedures for conducting the evaluation. (JG)

Notes that attempting to teach formal mathematics to disadvantaged children, before they have mastered the four operations on whole numbers, only frustrates them and turns them off to mathematics early in their school life. (Author/AM)

"A tripartite conceptual model for the evaluation of mental health and psychotherapy outcomes is presented. The model highlights the values brought to bear by three 'interested parties' in these evaluations: society, the individual, and the mental health professional. Clinical, research, and public policy implications of the model are discussed."…

The formative/summative evaluation dichotomy suggested by M. Scriven is challenged, and a conceptual typology is presented that crosses improvement and assessment evaluation functions with process and outcome program stages for four basic types of evaluation. This framework accommodates mixed types of evaluations. (SLD)

Describes an instructional design review process in which peers offer feedback through "structured walkthroughs." Discusses types of reviews, guidelines, and success factors, and summarizes a formal peer review structure developed and tested at Hewlett-Packard Company. Two tables present advantages and disadvantages of types of design…

This article presents a model for the identification, instruction, and assessment of gifted children. The rationale behind a unified model is outlined, and the use of the triarchic model in a variety of subject areas is described. A validation study using the model to teach high school psychology is reported. (Author/PB)

Reviews changes in the original Dick and Carey model of instructional design and considers its future usefulness. Topics include alternative instructional design textbooks, the influence of constructivist theory on the 1996 version of the model with its systems approach, and the influence of constructivist and objectivist models. (Author/LRW)

Analyzes relevance assessments of topical descriptors for bibliographic records for two dimensions: (1) a vertical conceptual hierarchy of broad to narrow descriptors, and (2) a horizontal linkage of related terms. The data were analyzed for a semantic distance and semantic direction effect as postulated by the Semantic Distance Model. (Author/LRW)

Explains the development of the Teaching Matrix, a model designed to encourage clinician-teachers to reflect on their teaching before, during, and after each teaching session. The model focuses on who and what is being taught, how the material is being taught, student comprehension, and self-assessment. (MDM)

Describes the design and development of a method for high school physics instruction which actively engages students in understanding the physical world by constructing and using scientific models to describe, explain, predict, and control phenomena. Presents evidence for the effectiveness of the modeling method. Concludes that effectiveness of…

Evaluates the scaffold designed as a dynamic modeling software tool called Model-It in terms of its ability to support learners' use of modeling practices. Discusses the continued empirical validation of types and instances of tool scaffolds. (Contains 50 references.) (Author/YDS)

Describes a method for teaching electronic structure and its relevance to chemical phenomena that relies on computer-generated three-dimensional models of electron density distributions. Discusses the quantum mechanical background needed and presents ways of using models of electronic ground states to teach electronic structure, bonding concepts,…

Describes the theory of image restoration discourse as an approach for understanding corporate crisis situations. States this theory can be used by practitioners to help design messages during crises and by critics or educators to critically evaluate such messages. Describes and illustrates the theory's basic concepts. Offers suggestions for…

Examined several hypotheses about the suitability of the noncentral chi square in applied research using Monte Carlo simulation experiments with seven sample sizes and three distinct model types, each with five specifications. Results show that, in general, for models with small to moderate misspecification, the noncentral chi-square is well…

Discusses the increased emphasis on problem solving and problem-based learning in instructional design and the need for new methods for task analysis and models for designing instruction. Defines the rationale and means for analyzing, organizing, and presenting stories to support problem solving by case-based reasoning. (Author/LRW)