This paper presents the design and initial learning research with the MMM modeling platform, seeking to advance middle school students' learning through constructing computational models of complex physical and chemical systems. A complexity-based structure of an MMM interface is introduced. It suggests that a complex system can be described and…

Decision making in most universities is taught within the conventional OR/MS (Operations Research/Management Science) paradigm. This paradigm is known to be "hard" since it is consisted of mathematical tools, and normally suitable for solving structured problems. In complex situations the conventional OR/MS paradigm proves to be…

This case was written to help prepare building-level and central office administrators who are expected to effectively lead schools and systems in an often tumultuous world of educational accountability and reform. The intent of this case study is to allow educators to examine the impact data management has on the types of thinking required when…

Higher education institutions undertake a range of approaches to evaluating and making judgments about the quality of their e-learning provision. This paper begins by exploring benchmarking as one current strategy in common use in universities to identify and implement quality practices: from the use of checklists (for example, of best practices…

This chapter presents and analyzes current developments in the evolution of the instructional development model. First, basic definitions of general systems and instructional development model terms are provided, and the differing uses of the terms instructional development, instructional technology, and educational technology are considered. The…

This monograph explores some implications of a new wave rooted in applications of industrial management to curriculum practice. It contains a "model" of a general strategy for evaluating and responding to proposals that particular managerial or instructional systems be adopted. Keyed to this model are specimen sets of questions for teachers,…

Instruction is the focus of the final pamphlet in a six-part series describing the Management Organization Systems Technique (MOST). The system was designed at Wayne County Community College to determine the goals and objectives of the college and assist management in their attainment and evaluation. The instruction component of the system takes…

Teachers need a framework for decision-making; this book supplies criteria against which they can weigh choices about alternative courses of action and encourages systematic instructional design by encouraging them to think about the overall educational effort. The underlying assumptions are that teachers overteach, that poor organization by the…

Provides an overview of the criticism leveled at the use of Total Quality Management (TQM) in teaching economics. Proposes an alternative use of TQM that relies more on traditional student-teacher interaction. The alternative TQM uses quality circles, one-minute papers, and quality check sheets. (MJP)