Teachers who attempt to use inquiry-based, student-centered instructional tasks face challenges that go beyond identifying well-designed tasks and setting them up appropriately in the classroom. Because solution paths are usually not specified for these kinds of tasks, students tend to approach them in unique and sometimes unanticipated ways.…

This study explored the impact of "Technology Enabled Active Learning" (TEAL) on students learning general physics, focusing on differences between genders and among various achievement levels. A quasi-experimental investigation was conducted on two semesters of courses offered in 2008. Data sources consisted of pre-tests, post-tests,…

For three years (including 1968-69), remedial English has been taught at Golden West College (California) to groups of 200-365 students. Follow-up studies, begun with the opening of the College, have indicated that the student who completes the remedial program and proceeds to freshman composition has a better chance of success (C or better) than…

In the summer of 1970, a study was undertaken at Lane Community College, Eugene, Oregon, in an attempt to explore the effectiveness of certain organizational patterns in teaching a large class at the undergraduate level. This document presents the final report of the study, which is organized as follows: Chapter 1 presents a review of related…

Pros and cons of teaching large classes are discussed. Five innovative teaching efforts are reviewed as alternatives: lecture-tutorial system, modular teaching approach, self-paced instructional program, diversified learning approach, and teaching information processing system. (ND)

Several techniques are briefly described: (1) student debate; (2) sequential moving through paced material; (3) random moving through non-sequential material; (4) optional moving through groups of materials; and (5) multiple moving through several teacher presentations, each representing a different approach to some material. (CJ)

Describes experiences teaching biology for nonscience majors in Spring, 1967 by using taped-lecture and taped-documentary approaches. Indicates that, although pessimistic conclusions were arrived at, the documentary was superior to the taped blackboard lecture. (CC)

Describes methods used by the Louisville Free Public Library's children's department to introduce the library's programs and services to elementary school children. Specific suggestions for one-person visitations are provided including pertinent book titles. (EJS)

Uses a question box for comments in large communication classes--61 questions deposited by 250 students in an introductory interpersonal communication course were used to construct a questionnaire to determine student perceptions of involvement, instructor quality, course quality, and learning as a result of the question/comment box. Attempts to…

A unit on enterprise was added to the first-year business management program. Students had to create a business plan, conduct market research, and present the plan and proposal to a panel of judges. Large numbers of students strained institutional resources, but a business sponsor's financial support made the project feasible. (JOW)

Argues that a problem for teachers of large sections of introductory psychology is developing high levels of student interest. Describes a method for creating and maintaining such interest that involves using students' written responses to a question about changing their lives as material for classroom discussion of relevant topics. (DSK)

A constructivist approach to teaching encourages students to seek answers for themselves, while the instructor acts as a guide and facilitator as students pursue information gathering and knowledge construction. In a large class, it is difficult to use a constructivist model of education simply because of the number of students involved. This…

Both instructors and students dread large introductory courses. IS introductory courses are no exception as they are often too large, the material too dry and the atmosphere too impersonal. This paper describes a unique student-centric curriculum for delivering introductory IS survey courses that keep students interested and engaged while…