Presents a history of undergraduate math-education programs and provides results of an action-research experience in a college-algebra course setting. Argues that historical record emphasizes interdisciplinary connections and applications of mathematics, and that present-day instructors should communicate the historical and practical reasons…

Argues that knowledge of statistics is becoming increasingly important for economics students. Presents a lesson to improve the learning of statistics and communication skills using short cases that include an economics problem and real data. Describes how students work in teams with computers for analysis and preparation of written reports. (DSK)

Compares the effectiveness of multimedia and traditional classes. Results show that (1) students in both classes did not differ on abilities before enrollment; (2) students in the multimedia class averaged higher examination scores; and (3) there are no consistent patterns between learning preferences and final examination scores in either case.…

Examines two myths or misperceptions associated with premedical education, that of the "premedical syndrome" (over-achieving, competitive, cynical, and narrowly focused students), and the "cutthroat medical student" (competitive to the point of undermining others). The origins of the myths, the purposes they may serve, why they…

Highlights development of a comprehensive core curriculum program at Ursuline College in Ohio in which the curriculum is integrated, interdisciplinary, and sequential, and embodies both learning and developmental goals. Several themes are identified that can be relevant to any college: (1) importance of theory, (2) importance of mission, (3)…

Results of the National Association of College and University Business Officers' annual survey (n=340 institutions) of institutional aid to students (tuition discounting) are summarized. Data include an analysis of tuition patterns, freshman tuition discount rates, undergraduate discount rates, class differences, and relationships among variables…

Describes a system of undergraduate and graduate instructional evaluation that integrates student and peer evaluation techniques. The procedure has three steps: preliminary meeting between faculty member and peer facilitator; in-class assessment session in which the facilitator engages students in focused discussion of teaching, in the teacher's…

Argues that a term paper worthy of a high grade must be more than a quick literature review. It should be a research project on a subject narrowly focused enough that the instructor will learn new things and in which the writing process requires numerous drafts. Offers a short guide intended to be given to students as part of the term paper…

Summarizes the results of a survey that revealed several dichotomies between what instructors felt introductory psychology courses delivered and what students wanted. Students desired a knowledge of people and relationships while the instructors felt the courses provided a broad overview of the discipline. Includes statistical data and analysis.…

Describes a demonstration that recreates the central features of taste aversion (learning to avoid distinctively flavored food or drink paired with gastrointestinal illness) research. Rats are allowed to drink a saccharine flavored solution and then are given an injection of sodium chloride. They associate the unpleasant effects with the solution.…

A political science professor at James Madison University (VA) constructed a Web page to support an undergraduate course in government. This article defines Web-site goals and audience, reviews other sites, and discusses organization of Web links and technical choices for HTML editor, page layout and use of image, audio, and video files. Stresses…

Discusses distance undergraduate education programs for paraprofessional librarians and suggests how to evaluate institutions: accreditation, academic program, communication, curriculum, and delivery methods. Highlights the AS degree in Library and Information Technology distance-education program offered by the University of Maine at Augusta.…

Discusses the role of teachers as researchers. Includes personal reflections on participation as a teacher researcher, observations as a teaching administrator conducting doctoral research in the classroom, and personal viewpoints as a state visual and performing arts supervisor. Considers the relationship between classroom research and the…

Reviews the current goals of a laboratory course and describes experiences in using laboratory time to cover several important topics related to industry and academia. Discusses several subjects and presents related experiments. Contains 184 references. (DDR)

Describes a college psychology course activity designed to help students define the parameters of cognitive psychology. Students selected a feature film and a journal article that represented some aspect of cognitive psychology. They then wrote a paper discussing the theoretical and empirical connections between the sources and the topic. (MJP)