A study of 150 college students' attribution of academic success examined the relative importance of 12 categories of factors: study habits, course content, teacher, social factors, interest, motivation, ability, domestic security, peers, luck, financial security, and health. (MSE)

Discusses the status of training courses conducted by computer manufacturers for their employees, including types of training, trainee classification, course arrangement, fees, examples of courses provided by manufacturers, trends, and future expectations. (MBR)

A flexible writing curriculum meets varied student levels and goals by basing courses on students' own written work. Activities in this type of curriculum include: prewriting activities, first drafts, peer critiques, instructor feedback, worksheet handouts, and second drafts. (Author/CB)

Describes the biochemical engineering and industrial biotechnology programs of the University of Waterloo (Ontario, Canada). Provides descriptions of graduate courses, along with a sample of current research activities. Includes a discussion of the programs' mechanisms for technology transfer. (TW)

Describes a laboratory safety program at the University of Delaware. Includes a history of the program's development, along with standard safety training and inspections now being implemented. Outlines a two-day laboratory safety course given to all graduate students and staff in chemical engineering. (TW)

Brief articles by junior and senior high school librarians describe how they teach library skills, including integration with classroom activities; use of videotapes; gaming; student participation in booktalks, instruction, and updating of vertical files; courses in librarianship and reading aloud. A bibliography of audiovisuals is also provided.…

Peace education requires that teacher and student be seen as co-learners. The student must be seen as an active learner, not a passive recipient of teacher lectures or narratives. Students' thinking on peace/war issues should be the starting point and the continual reference point in the curriculum. (RM)

This study investigated the effects of two sequences of instruction--theory-to-application and application-to-theory--on medical students' cognitive preferences in preclinical science teaching. Results indicate that presenting an example of the clinical application of biochemical theory before presenting the theory itself increased students'…

Describes a project that involved an eighth-grade advanced English class in learning about banned books and censorship with the hope that students would learn enough about a highly controversial subject to be able to form intelligent options. (EL)

An evaluation of a humanities course taught to mixed ability classes of 11 year olds in England showed that the most important factors for a successful course are teacher commitment and enthusiasm, careful course planning keeping in mind student interests, and teaching styles that emphasize student activities and interaction and oral work. (RM)

Suggests that small, rural schools take interest inventories of teachers and students to improve the quality of education by taking a closer look at courses offered and the qualifications of teachers responsible for them. (MH)

The design and findings of three surveys describing art teachers--who they are, what they teach, how they teach, and what they value--are discussed and compared, and the need for ongoing studies of this nature is established. Data-gathering roles are also suggested for professional agencies and associations. (Author/RM)

Situational factors affecting the first-year teaching of 97 new college geography teachers in a study of teacher preparation are examined, including the type of appointment, status of the dissertation, teaching load, class size, perceived institutional characteristics and identification, institutional support, colleague companionship and support,…

Describes a pilot project which introduced computer technology to junior high school students from lower socioeconomic and ethnic minority communities in a Colorado Springs, Colorado, school district. Discussion includes student and faculty selection process, course components, participant feedback, budget requirements, and recommendations. (MBR)

This issue of R&D Alert presents a sample what of works to strengthen mathematics and science education. The lead article describes the core principles of WestEd's National Academy for Science and Mathematics Education Leadership. After 5 years running the academy, WestEd staff have refined effective approaches for developing teacher leaders…