The growth of the Open University has led to attempts to increase the efficiency of the whole operation, such as prepackaging of teaching materials and advanced scheduling and planning of new courses. Effects of such policies on tutor-student links and the immediacy of materials are discussed. (AF)

In order to teach applied respiratory physiology to medical students, the anesthesiology faculty at the University of Florida College of Medicine has designed and implemented a course that includes a laboratory workshop in mechanical ventilation of an animal model that allows students to apply and expand their knowledge. (JMD)

Students' course evaluations were related to 16 background characteristics for 511 undergraduate courses and 221 instructors. Each separate variable explained less than five percent of the variance. The four most influential background variables were: prior subject interest, expected grades, workload/difficulty, and percent enrolled for general…

Presented are a list of topics and references for a course in which scientific theories and concepts are developed to explain the energy crisis. Using the suggested approach, students gain an understanding of scientific theories and concepts as they relate to current human problems. (DS)

The veterinary curriculum at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine has developed an undergraduate professional training program in companion animal preventive medicine--a new area of specialization--as a field of clinical practice. Curricula for years three and four are described. (Author/MLW)

Discusses the educational establishment and relates its position to the need for introducing controversial issues into elementary and secondary classrooms. The need for reform, beginning with science courses in the university, is suggested. (SA)

A discussion is given of the ways in which thermal conductivity, velocity, and viscosity of sound propagation of gases can be measured by freshmen college students. (Author/SA)

A veterinarian-client relations course at Purdue University is described. It is designed to assist students in developing, applying, and adopting comfortable interpersonal communication and interviewing skills for interaction with clients in the practice of veterinary medicine. (BH)

A course to help students adjust to a practicing career as a veterinarian included sessions on: opportunities in the field, choosing a specialty and location; applying for jobs; women in practice; finances; improving professional skills; the veterinarian as hospital administrator; and malpractice and health insurance. (BH)

An in-service teacher training course is described, designed for teachers of a new course in sixth-grade science, and presented partly by mobile teams and partly by radio. Planning of the content and presentation of the teacher training was done by a committee of five teachers and two others. (CTM)

The Personalized System of Instruction, known as the Keller Plan, is compared with the mastery learning approach. Learning concepts of both are discussed, as well as differences, difficulties, and effectiveness of each method. (SA)

Inflated college grades reflect an underlying problem: inappropriate content, modes of presentation, and modes of assessment. Many popular assumptions about how to address the question of standards (modifying transcripts, freeing teachers from external pressure, using grades as an indicator of quality) emphasize grades rather than standards.…

Provides details of writing assignments used in science and technology classes. Students select a technology, research its historical development, and then comment on the use of the technology. A list of concepts that are distributed to students is included. (DDR)

Describes a classroom technique designed to inject an interactive discussion framework into the classroom and to focus students' attention on reading and absorbing information from a textbook. (DDR)

A survey of 130 rural community pharmacists in Washington State found 70% in towns with five or fewer pharmacies; almost all provided nutrition information to their communities though only 20% had taken a nutrition course during pharmacy training. Most common questions concerned supplements and weight loss. Respondents relied on pharmacy journals,…