This paper discusses the background and context of the national assessment movement as it relates to special education teacher preparation programs; the relationship between assessment and accreditation, with attention to the federal regulations for education effectiveness; recommendations for assessment planning; and suggested content areas for…

This tongue-in-cheek committee report from a fictional liberal arts college illustrates how college ranking scales, projects for image enhancement, and similar activities that preoccupy today's college administrators detract from the main business of undergraduate teaching and liberal education. (Author/MSE)

Describes three methods of active learning for an undergraduate history class: (1) debates over differing historical interpretations; (2) demonstrations of change and continuity between past and present in an historical issue; and (3) simulations of real or imaginary events. Includes instructions, evaluation information, and a course description.…

A two-year research effort assessed the effectiveness of the workshop approach to undergraduate and graduate student projects. The approach involved student reflective journals, individual student-professor conferences, structured small group discussions of project progress with peers, and presentations of final projects. The workshop approach was…

Describes the development of an interactive model for library instruction in a large-enrollment undergraduate engineering course at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (New York). The model, which is based on the Karplus Learning Cycle, has provided an effective framework for library instruction within the undergraduate engineering curriculum.…

This paper, based on the content of approximately 100 letters from dental students, examines the issue of student research support within the student-mentor relationship including why students become involved in research, what they look for in a mentor, and the mentor's role. (GLR)

This article examines administrative support and its role in developing and sustaining student research activities within schools of dentistry. Discussion focuses on how administrative support can be effective in the areas of mentor selection, funding, managing educational quality, assistance in presenting research results, and providing rewards.…

A survey of 17 registrars in colleges and universities using narrative evaluation of students instead of traditional grading investigated the types of institutions using the method, number of narratives generated, variations in form of narrative, history of the systems, methods of collecting and processing, control and limitations, costs, and…

Calls for developing holistic environmental undergraduate programs that promote sustainability, recognize species equality, and achieve a balance between opposing values of Western society. Current undergraduate environmental education programs at Canadian universities overemphasize resource conservation, promote the dominant scientific worldview,…

Reports on three separate studies conducted to determine a consensus list of psychology's great books. Describes the 3 studies, including 1 of 39 college-level psychology departments, another of 186 psychologists, and a third study of 83 leaders of the American Psychological Association. (CFR)

Uses research findings to challenge assumptions and myths about teacher education and educational reform, focusing on health education. Trends in accreditation by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and alternative certification are analyzed. One possible extended six-year preparation program model is offered. (Author/SM)

The Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education assert that good practice (1) encourages student-faculty contact; (2) encourages cooperation among students; (3) encourages active learning; (4) gives prompt feedback; (5) emphasizes time on task; (6) communicates high expectations; and (7) respects diverse talents and ways of…

Institutionalizing the Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education and the Faculty and Institutional Inventories will require teachers and institutions to overcome obstacles to change, develop new perspectives for improving education, and apply strategies of planned change, including creating and sustaining a leadership team.…

Describes the liberal arts, computer laboratory-based economics program at Denison University (Ohio). Includes as goals helping students to (1) understand deductive arguments, (2) learn to apply theory in real-world situations, and (3) test and modify theory when necessary. Notes that the program combines computer laboratory experiments for…

This case study of an international teaching assistant's experience with college teaching focuses on the process of becoming an effective instructor in the undergraduate classroom. A developmental model that emphasizes clarifying the student's individual linguistic, cultural, social, and professional goals is suggested, and implications for…