This is the fourth in a series of occasional papers that analyze the changes taking place in U.S. undergraduate education. This essay examines two streams of reform on the campus and in the curriculum--internationalization and diversification--and suggests that these separate movements must come together in a new paradigm of higher education in…

Using data collected from an undergraduate science methods class, this paper interrogates a variety of ways that preservice teachers construct their identities as both students of science and prospective teachers of science. Data sources included writings about an issue of "difference" in science class, a science autobiography, student-generated…

This conference, cosponsored by the NSF and the National Research Council (NRC), focused on developing and implementing strategies for improving undergraduate education in science, math, engineering and technology (SMET). Represented at the conference were various types of 2-year and 4-year institutions, private industry, professional societies,…

This paper examines what is known (and not known) about adult college students. It reports on a study which compared different age groups in different types of institutions and reviews the research about how adults learn and methodologies for teaching adults. The study compared age distributions at four Texas institutions: the University of North…

This report presents results of the fourth triennial national survey of college and university faculty conducted by the Higher Education Research Institute in the fall and winter of 1998-99. Results are based on responses of 33,785 full-time faculty at 378 institutions (two-year colleges, four-year colleges, and universities). Data are reported…

This paper reports findings in a study of an e-mail discussion activity in an undergraduate methods course. Students were asked to contribute an e-mail message to the class discussion at least once every two weeks; they could write on any topic suggested by their field experiences or related class discussions and readings. Critical interpretative…

This report, developed pursuant to Title X, Section 1001 (d), of the National Defense Education Act of 1958, is organized in three parts. Part I is an account of the nature, scope, and volume of federally sponsored programs in colleges and universities of the United States and the institutions which participate in them. This description is…

An internship program in nontechnical roles in health services for 198 self-selected undergraduates proved helpful for students and host institutions. Benefits included help in career decisions, exercise in self-directed learning, and demonstration of noncognitive qualities (social and ethical) desirable for professional work in patient care and…

Results of a national survey on law courses in social work graduate, undergraduate, and continuing education programs and on faculty qualifications, consulting activities, and views of major issues in law and social work are presented. The findings are analyzed in light of the rationale for integrating legal content into the social work…

Describes a procedure used to optimize instrument performance as taught in a fourth-year undergraduate instrumental analysis course. Gives rules for fixed and variable size simplex and discusses calculations. Also explains use of computer simulation of instruments as a tool in teaching the simplex technique. (JM)

Suggests various methods for teaching the double layer in electrochemistry courses. Topics addressed include measuring change in absolute potential difference (PD) at interphase, conventional electrode potential scale, analyzing absolute PD, metal-metal and overlap electron PDs, accumulation of material at interphase, thermodynamics of electrified…

A group-based, teacher-paced mastery learning format was used to instruct students in two sections of an undergraduate course on teaching mainstreamed handicapped children. Students in these sections displayed greater achievement and higher motivation, measured by their number of absences, than did students taught the course by more conventional…

Faculty in a large land-grant university were surveyed about the reward system for teaching and research. Almost half declined to participate, citing their research and writing workloads as hindrances. However, participants were confused about rewards for teaching versus research, and had not yet resolved the conflict in favor of research. (MSE)

Data on foreign student enrollment are discussed and these aspects outlined: general trends, financial support, institutions with largest foreign student enrollments, states with largest enrollments, distribution by field of study, and distribution by academic level. (MSE)

An undergraduate curriculum in public affairs is proposed that is multidisciplinary, rooted in the liberal arts, and that emphasizes development of conceptual, analytical, and interpersonal skills required for public policymaking and implementation. Questions addressed would include such issues as the definitions of public and national interests.…