Graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) play an essential role in the teaching of introductory chemistry courses at many higher education institutions. On the basis of best practices suggested by the literature, we developed our GTA training course to focus on modeling best practices in the classroom, providing opportunities for incoming GTAs to try…

The Indiana Science Initiative (ISI) is a systemic effort to reform K-8 science education. The program provides teachers with professional development, reform-oriented science modules, and materials support. To examine the impact of the initiative's professional development, a participant observation study was conducted in the program's pilot…

This article presents findings from a case study of an adult literacy program. The author conducted this IRB-approved study as part of a three-year, research-based, community-engagement project that partnered the literacy program with a writing center at a large public research university. The author argues that the participatory methods afforded…

To access interactive systems, blind and visually impaired users can leverage their auditory senses by using non-speech sounds. The current structure of non-speech sounds, however, is geared toward conveying user interface operations (e.g., opening a file) rather than large theme-based information (e.g., a history passage) and, thus, is ill-suited…

The article discusses current evaluation methodologies used to assess the usability, user enjoyment, and pedagogical efficacy of virtual learning environments (VLEs) and serious games. It also describes the evaluations of two recently developed projects: a virtual learning environment that employs a fantasy 3D world to engage deaf and hearing…

This article argues that teaching health campaigns from an engaged pedagogy perspective is beneficial for students, instructors, and communities. This argument is supported by a teaching and learning perspective using a motorcycle safety campaign as an exemplar. Retrospective interviews were conducted with students who participated in a…

This study describes assessment results from the Distance Education Mentoring Program (DEMP) at Purdue University Calumet, Indiana, USA. The program, sponsored by the university's Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, was made available to all teaching faculty who wished to become proteges and develop their skills at teaching online courses. The…

The Internet has become a powerful force in transforming organizations in both private and public sectors, including public education. Some educational reformers now view virtual schools, in which the majority of course content is delivered online, as a viable alternative and innovative means of educating K-12 students. As of September 2007, 42…

Findings of a study that evaluated both the implementation and the public's reception of the first 2 years (1990-92) of Connecting Learning Assures Successful Students (CLASS), a cooperative learning program in 62 Indiana schools, are presented in this policy bulletin. Data were collected from three participating elementary schools through the…

Indiana's K-12 consumer and economic education program was rated very high by participating teachers. However, the lack of program effectiveness beyond just in-service training is reflected by the fact that no significant differences were found between the economic concepts that participanting and nonparticipating economics teachers reported…

AN EXPERIMENTAL, COLLEGE-LEVEL, ELEMENTARY FRENCH COURSE WAS ORGANIZED, IMPLEMENTED, AND EVALUATED. THE COURSE WAS APPROXIMATELY EQUIVALENT TO TWO ELEMENTARY AND TWO INTERMEDIATE SEQUENCES IN THE CONVENTIONAL PATTERN, ALLOWING 15 CREDIT HOURS FOR AN AVERAGE WORKING PERIOD OF THREE ACADEMIC SEMESTERS. THE EMPHASIS OF THE COURSE WAS ON INTENSIVE…

AN EXPERIMENTAL ELEMENTARY FRENCH COURSE WAS ESTABLISHED AT THE UNIVERSITY LEVEL AND EVALUATED ON ITS PEDAGOGICAL EFFICIENCY, ADMINISTRATIVE FEASIBILITY, AND ACHIEVEMENT-MOTIVATIONAL CAPABILITY. THE COURSE FEATURED INTENSIVE CONTACT WITH LINGUISTICS, SELF-INSTRUCTION, AND SELF-PACING. (FOR DETAILS ON THE COURSE ORGANIZATION, SEE ED 010 465, A…

A survey evaluation of special classes for the gifted in 35 Indiana school districts was carried out among 173 teachers, administrators, and program coordinators. Results indicated that the curriculum and teaching methods were clearly differentiated for the gifted and were effective in meeting their needs. (Author/PB)

For the thirty-third year, the Research and Theory Division of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) is sponsoring the publication of these Proceedings. This is Volume #2 of the 33rd "Annual Proceedings of Selected Papers on the Practice of Educational Communications and Technology." This volume includes…

This manual is designed as a training tool for individuals who are implementing tech prep in Indiana. It is divided into three major divisions. Division I contains general information about tech prep and issues related to its implementation. Its nine chapters summarize relevant legislation, address leadership concerns, explain curriculum…