A study researched the impact of the portfolio development process as an instructional strategy that promotes increased critical thinking, organization, communication, and self-reflection abilities. The inquiry began with a case study of eight adult learners representative of the student population of a nontraditional undergraduate program with a…

This paper presents the results of three years of development and evaluation of a CD-ROM/Web hybrid simulation known as Brownfield Action for an introductory environmental science course at an independent college for women in the northeastern United States. Brownfield Action is a simulation that provides a learning environment for developing the…

This paper is part of a research paper series that the Applied Research Branch of Human Resources Development Canada commissioned in 2001 to contribute to the development of a research strategy for young Canadians completing their education and starting their careers. The series focuses on various elements of the school-work transitions of…

This paper reports on an on-going action research study of the elementary school science education courses at the University of Victoria in Canada. The Department of Social and Natural Sciences requires that professors evaluate their teaching effectiveness annually using a variety of methods such as student evaluations, peer observations, course…

This report presents the results of a 1995-96 survey of U.S. colleges and universities offering doctoral, master's, and bachelor's degrees in physics and astronomy, focusing on degree production and current student enrollment. The survey found that first-year graduate student enrollments for 1996-97 declined by 2.5 percent from the previous year.…

Students need a variety of ways to encourage them to learn. Web-based learning can provide a platform for achieving this in a variety of ways other than the simple provision of "flat" lecture notes. This paper describes a number of Web-based programs used to augment, rather than replace, traditional, face-to-face delivery of a…

This study examined effects of increased availability of undergraduate student loan funds under the Higher Education Act Amendments of 1992. It studied the effects of price variables and accumulated debt on student persistence decisions using data from the National Student Postsecondary Aid 1992-93 and 1995-96 Surveys. For two-year college…

This report presents 1998-99 data on Pennsylvania's 34 public and 108 private colleges and universities, as well as for 92 private schools licensed to grant specialized associate degrees. An introduction offers highlights noting that the increase in undergraduate basic student charges was greater than the increase in the consumer price index for…

This submission contains the Proceedings of the 2003 Annual Meeting of the Canadian Mathematics Education Study Group (CMESG), held at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. The CMESG is a group of mathematicians and mathematics educators who meet annually to discuss mathematics education issues at all levels of learning. The aims of the…

This survey of land-grant college education is divided into five sections, published separately as follows: Part I: History and Educational Objectives of Land-Grant College Education; Part II: The Liberal Arts and Sciences and Miscellaneous Subjects in Land-Grant Colleges; Part III: Agricultural Education in Land-Grant Colleges; Part IV:…

The term liberal arts is defined and liberal education is proposed as a more appropriate term. Six characteristics of the liberally educated person are identified and curricular changes that would encourage the development of these qualities are proposed. (Author/MLW)

Social workers in direct practice rely on critical thinking to apply theories, make informed decisions, and explain their assessments and decisions. This paper defines critical thinking and discusses skills needed for its development, methods and assignments for teaching those skills to undergraduate and graduate students in practice courses, and…

Provides an overview of the structure and topics included in undergraduate course on Indian and Chinese history. Briefly reviews such topics as Land and People, Emergence and Evolution of Traditions, Expansion of Islam in Asia, European Imperialism, Nationalism and Independence, and Democracy and Development. (MJP)

Compares and contrasts two vastly different approaches to music education instruction among undergraduate elementary and music teacher education students. Identifies these approaches as "making musicians" versus "being a role model." Examines these differences manifested in the identity, function, and role of the teachers.…

Investigates the adaptive behavior of North American Indians to changes in their physical environment. Although contact with Europeans was often destructive due to infectious diseases, some tribes grew stronger through the incorporation of horses and farming. Discusses the many changes in tribal characteristics and migration patterns wrought by…