Describes a final assignment in an introductory sociology course that helps students apply their sociological knowledge. Students choose a book or movie, provide a plot summary, analyze it using a minimum number of sociological terms gathered from different chapters or topic areas, and provide a brief conclusion. (MJP)

This study examined whether undergraduate athletic training educators wrote learning objectives that fostered critical thinking (CT) skills and whether their written assignments and examinations measured the extent to which students developed CT skills. Review of 64 usable syllabi indicated that educators fostered more CT in learning objectives…

A study investigated the influence of tuition charges and financial aid packaging to adult undergraduate students on within-year persistence. Results indicated that adult undergraduates are more likely to be from disadvantaged backgrounds and more responsive to tuition rate than traditional college-age students, and that adults enrolled in public…

Surveyed undergraduate early childhood course students to determine motivation, career goals, and perceptions of early childhood professionals and their programs. Found that understanding student beliefs and working to broaden perspectives and exposure to real-life situations were important for preservice teacher education programs. (SD)

Results of an annual college tuition survey and a study of trends in financial aid reveal continuing difficulties in keeping costs in line with inflation, the financial aid pool, and state support. A table displays tuition and required fees at over 3,000 institutions in both 1995-96 and 1996-97, including added tuition for out-of-state students in…

The experience of the United Kingdom and other European countries in designing legal education which responds to the changing needs of the European Union is described. The three-stage British system of legal education is outlined, and the impact of European Union formation discussed briefly. Changes in undergraduate study, professional training,…

Using a model of undergraduate student socialization, a study investigated how the college environment and student interactions with peers and faculty influence their political orientation. Results indicate that these influences tend to be of equal magnitude and that students tend to change in the direction of institutional norms. (Author/MSE)

Asserts that legal mandates increase the probability that postsecondary instructors will have blind and visually impaired students in their classrooms. The graphical and symbolic notations used in economics courses present special problems for these students. Recommends and describes the usage of tactile graphs and raised line drawings. (MJP)

A study compared performance on the Area Concentration Achievement Test in Social Work (ACAT) of 32 undergraduates who had nearly completed a field practicum and 38 who had not begun it. Results showed no difference in the groups' knowledge of social work professional foundation overall or in individual content areas. Other variables that could…

Identifies reasons for using computers to teach world history. Discusses how instructors can acquire and use digital classroom resources. Describes how to develop and use online courses and course Web pages. (PAL)

Reports on a study at St. Olaf College (Minnesota) that was designed to measure students' research competencies and opinions, as well as other contributions to research skills, after four years of course-integrated library instruction. The Library Bibliographic Instruction Survey is appended. (Author/LRW)

Explores how research on how people think, learn, and remember can be used as a guide in redesigning higher education, especially science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. Asserts that such research suggests against lectures, "canned" laboratory work, and frequent testing. (EV)

Describes the development of an elective module for final-year undergraduate primary school student teachers becoming specialists in science. Explains how the introduction of the Patchwork Text assignment format made it possible to exploit more fully the advantages of collaborative learning by students in small groups. (Author/AEF)

Discusses the use of multimedia technology in history by providing case studies of projects within an urban history course and a course called "Men, Women, and War: Popular Memory and Public Understanding." Provides information on the teachers' expectations and addresses whether the project could be utilized at other universities. Includes a…

Promotes the use of presentation software in psychology courses to teach students technological skills that prepare them for the future. Explains that many graduates in psychology are employed in other fields after graduation. Discusses the use of presentation software with a focus on poster preparation using Microsoft PowerPoint software. (CMK)