Reviews evaluations of CAL (computer-assisted learning) in use at the University of Glasgow (Scotland). Topics include methods used; prior knowledge; learning motivation; attitude measures; confidence logs; knowledge quizzes; study habits; Hawthorne effects; formative, summative, illuminative, and integrative evaluation; quality assurance…

A three-year study at Ohio University-Newark of a new fifth-year master of education (M.Ed.) program and a traditional bachelor's program showed a placement rate twice as high for M.Ed. graduates. Also analyzes enrollment patterns, student profiles, staffing and cost implications, and relationships with school personnel in the area served by the…

A study of the University of Melbourne (Australia) mandatory annual faculty evaluation program after its second year of operation is reported. Results revealed some faculty uncertainty about the plan's intentions and tensions between its summative and formative purposes. Some positive outcomes were identified, but too few to claim the plan was…

Describes the development of a program in Connecticut that combined Web-based training with peer mentorship to improve technology integration in K-12 classrooms. Topics include prerequisites; program implementation; a nine-month pilot study; formative evaluation; mentor survey; summative evaluation; and the feasibility of this type of program for…

Describes methods used by instructional designers to help subject matter experts (SMEs) create effective courseware, balanced between theory and practical application, that meets organizational objectives. A case study is presented that explains how to develop student performance objectives (SPOs) through needs assessment, the design of job aids,…

A within-class design was used to study process/product relationships between the quality of classroom discourse and sixth grade student achievement. Ten teachers taught one-hour lessons on light. Results indicate negative relations between violations of communicative logic and high-aptitude students' percentage-correct responses on test items.…

Describes the design and development of a computer simulation and accompanying software to teach the scaleup of chemical processes to chemical engineering students at Penn State. Collaboration on the instructional development team is described, software modules are explained, and students' evaluations of the system are reported. (LRW)

Describes an intelligent tutoring system designed to help students remedy misconceptions of physics concepts based on a teaching strategy called bridging analogies. Highlights include tutoring strategies; misconceptions in science education; the example situation network; confidence checking; formative evaluation with college students, including…

Clinical supervision is a formative evaluation method of working with teachers to improve instruction. This teacher-centered, collegial, and collaborative model requires the establishment of rapport and trust in a proper climate. Clinical supervision enables teachers and supervisors to grow while promoting excellence in teaching and learning.…

Addresses the importance of camp evaluation, including the role of formative and summative evaluations; overviews areas of evaluation such as administration, facilities and grounds, programming, and staff; describes functions of evaluation, including human relations, technical function, and conceptual function; describes evaluation tools; and…

The role of assessment in science education is explored, focusing on summative assessment in British public certificate examinations. Examples of test items are presented to illustrate difficulties in making valid and reliable assessments, and issues with implications for formative assessment are discussed. (SLD)

A study of 30 first-year medical students in a physiology course found that frequent evaluation had a profound negative effect on learning, with students adopting a surface reproductive approach geared to passing exams rather than integrating knowledge. Lectures and curriculum organization failed to affect student use and structure of knowledge.…

Five steps for conducting a midterm evaluation of teaching rather than a standardized end-of-class evaluation are presented. Example outcomes are given, and observations about the process are discussed. Multiple values of midterm course evaluations are apparent for students, the instructor, and the designated evaluation facilitator. (SLD)

Explains the concept of a computerized simulated student as a model of human learning and explores three areas of application: for teachers, for students, and for instructional designers during formative evaluation. Technical limitations, existing prototype systems, and possible future systems are discussed for each area. (Contains 85 references.)…

Process indicators (PIs) of school functioning and their place within the educational indicators systems are discussed. Literature is reviewed as a basis for selection of PIs for an integral model of school effectiveness. Although it is difficult to collect data on PIs, they provide valuable information on system functioning. (SLD)