According to accreditation and professional bodies, evaluation and grading are a high priority in counselor education. Specifications grading, an evaluative tool, can be used to increase grading rigor. This article describes the components of specifications grading and applies the framework of specifications grading to a counseling theories course.

Shows how a contract approach to grading can also enrich and internalize some of the basic principles of an introductory college-level psychology course. Through class activities, students are provided with an arena for embellishing some of the theory and principles learned in class. (Author/JR)

Assesses the results of introducing individualized learning contracts (ILCs), journal writing, and journal sharing into a computer literacy course at Prince George's Community College, focusing on the effects on student satisfaction and student success rates. (DMM)

Implementation in a college level course of the Therapeutic Community Teaching Concept, which creates a comforting community that values mutual concern, is described. (JH)

This document contains papers and transcripts from a university faculty colloquium which shared views about teaching methods and information on successful approaches. Following a copy of the colloquium announcement and a brief introduction, the main section presents transcripts of the presentations. The first discusses the structure and role of…

Subjects were classified as external or internal. About half of the externals (internals) were given a traditional method of instruction. The remaining subjects were involved in a contract grading plan. Using an achievement posttest, a strong disordinal interaction was found, with internals performing better under the contract grading plan and…

Options examined were: programmed instruction, computer-assisted instruction, modular instruction, contingency management and contracting, personalized system of instruction, individually prescribed instruction, large lecture, and lecture-discussion. Results indicated differences in exposure to options and among areas of concentration. (Author/LBH)

Taking a how-to approach and a British perspective, with numerous lists and examples, this book presents the concept of learning contracts negotiated agreements between learners and instructors to achieve a specific learning goal for university and continuing education teachers. The book is organized in four parts: Part 1 is an introduction; it…

Twenty-nine unedited papers presented at the Second National Conference on Research and Technology in College and University Teaching are collected and grouped into nine sessions. Topics covered include student participation, audio-tutorial vs. conventional learning, selection and characteristics of proctors, the use of learning contracts, testing…

In order to encourage instructors interested in collaborative classroom approaches, the College of Continuing Education at the University of Rhode Island sponsored a series of workshops and informal discussions. A telephone survey of faculty was undertaken to learn the ways they were using collaborative approaches in their courses. (MLW)

Presented are written explanations and critical evaluations of the major teaching practices now being used in undergraduate education. Discussed are both traditional approaches to teaching (lecturing, testing, leading discussions) and new approaches (using a personalized system of instruction, teaching with computers, developing learning…