This report presents evaluation findings regarding the implementation and effectiveness of the Academics 2000, Cycle VIII grant in AISD during the 2001-2002 school year.

A study of how class size and discipline group (social sciences, humanities, and miscellaneous) correlate with elements of student ratings of faculty and faculty self-evaluation is reported. It was found that discipline does not affect student evaluations but does affect teaching style. Students in small classes are more critical of teachers. (MSE)

Outlines the development and evaluation of 2-day courses to improve lecturing methods in English universities, based upon surveys of lecturers' and students' views of university teaching methods. Results of the surveys are reported, as are ways in which techniques of structuring and presenting lectures are being improved. (EAO)

Colorado State University students in elective history courses were surveyed for their attitudes toward elements of teaching: subject knowledge, relaxed classroom atmosphere, teacher approachability, teacher enjoyment of subject, mechanics of teaching, and delivery of material. The personal dimension was of high priority of students, the mechanics…

Visual evaluation techniques provide the kinesiologist with a method of evaluating physical skill performance. The techniques are divided into five categories: (1) vantage point; (2) movement simplification; (3) balance and stability; (4) movement relationships; and (5) range of movement. (JN)

Emphasizes that learning is influenced by the student's active response to instruction. Teachers are advised to remain aware of student responses by initiating work contracts with students and are encouraged to help students learn to respond appropriately to instruction by arranging the classroom environment so that attention and motivation are…

The study investigated the effects of interspersing known items during spelling instruction on new words for three moderately to severely mentally retarded male students (ages 19 to 24). Results showed that high density reinforcement did facilitate performance over baseline; however, interspersal training was superior to the other conditions in…

Discusses research findings in relation to oral communication tasks in English. The article concludes that, although direct linkage between task type, language output, and language acquisition has not been established, informed pedagogic choices can be made using the concepts of control of information and communication goal. (22 references)…

Examines the extent to which foreign language use should play a prominent part in a course. The article discusses subject knowledge; factors affecting students' language skills; course objectives, structure and content; student reaction to questions about tutor input and the topics appropriate for teaching in the foreign language; and perceived…

Described is an alternative way for classroom teachers to assess students' performance in mathematics. The interview process is presented in stages: initiating the interview, the questioning stage, formulating and testing hypotheses, and intervention. (KR)

Examines if a self-paced, interactive microcomputer delivery system can decrease the time needed and improve the level of mastery as compared with a traditional self-paced instructional approach. Uses high school physics students with five activities and reports that no differences were found. (MVL)

Responses of two high school history teachers on three performance assessments of teaching, part of the Stanford University Teacher Assessment Project, were analyzed. Differences that emerged in teacher attitudes and knowledge level illustrate what performance assessment can reveal about pedagogical knowledge and the implications for educational…

Examined the effectiveness of the showcase portfolio process as an instructional strategy to enhance the quality and quantity of students' writing and to motivate them to participate in the writing process. Findings supported claims that portfolios are not only an authentic evaluative procedure, but an equally powerful motivational approach and an…

Describes results of a pilot program conducted at Wright State University in which students judged instructors on their use of computer-aided classroom presentations. A table presents student reaction to computer-aided presentations, and the article discusses detailed comments students made about screen design, use of multimedia, instructor…

Performance assessment, a method that makes possible the assessment of multiple dimensions of students' progress, including dispositions, is described. Criteria for good performance tasks are given, and their structure is illustrated through an example. A list of 10 dispositions toward mathematics and a self-evaluation group-performance rating…