Introduces a theme issue on reflective practice in California's Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment program. Papers highlight: state policy mandating teacher reflection; the California Formative Assessment and Support System for Teachers; teacher skills and beliefs for promoting reflective practice in novice teachers; beginning teachers'…

Discussion of the importance of cultural considerations in instructional design focuses on audio messages in multimedia materials. Describes the development of a Web-based audio instructional series by a consortium of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, including planning, context selection, implementation, cost effectiveness, formative…

Many current assessment practices are incompatible with the goals of independence, thoughtfulness and critical analysis; common forms of assessment are not consistent with the behavior of academics in their own contributions to knowledge; and the assessment policy of many departments undermines approaches to learning. (Author/MLW)

Teacher-directed versus student-oriented remediation methods in high school physics classes in Nigeria were compared using 121 fifth-form students. Formative, achievement, and intelligence tests were administered. Teacher-directed remediation treatment enhanced learning and was more effective than was a student-oriented method. (TJH)

Reports on design and rationale of Online Access to Knowledge, a computer intermediary developed by Online Access to Knowledge Project to enable users with little or no training or experience in bibliographic searching to conduct their own searches. Topics covered include software design, tutorials and assistance programs, and conclusions based on…

Discusses the nature and function of formative assessment in the development of students' expertise for evaluating the quality of their own work. Highlights include the transition from teacher-supplied feedback to learner self-monitoring; qualitative judgments; communicating standards to students; multicriterion judgments; and implications for the…

Description of study conducted to establish a profile of guidelines presented in professional literature for the evaluation and revision of instructional materials emphasizes content, design, and presentation. Formative and summative evaluation are discussed; input from users, learners, and experts is described; and appendixes include a list of…

Discusses total quality management as a holistic model of improvement for education which can be integrated with other school restructuring models. Elements of the model are explained, including administrative support, needs assessments, quality specifications, strategic planning, and progress assessments, both formative and summative; and three…

Discussion of instructional materials that teach knowledge and skills needed for technical training focuses on cooperative development between U.S. and Canadian educators and the Agency for Instructional Technology (AIT) to produce the "Math Works" and "Principles of Technology" materials. Learning skills are discussed, and…

Presents the elementary-level formative evaluation method of functional diagnosis that gives students immediate feedback on completed assignments. Gives three examples of the method as observed in the classrooms of master teachers: putting red dots next to problems needing attention; paired learning, and student answer keys. (MDH)

This qualitative study evaluated the cognitive style construct field-dependent/independent as a selection criteria for student subjects for formative evaluation of instructional material. Four college students interacting with a computer-assisted instruction package were observed, and data on subject readiness, researcher/subject interactions,…

Classroom assessment and classroom research in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system is traced to 1989 when the terms entered the community-college faculty-development vocabulary. They are now household words among the 500 faculty participating regularly in faculty development. Problems encountered and positive results are…

Performance assessment can help educators develop ways to reveal individual students' distinctive features and secure information about learning. These opportunities will be wasted unless the public's attitudes and expectations toward schooling are changed. Attitudes cannot change without revising policies inhibiting school children's educational…

Reports the outcomes of a video conferencing trial in an undergraduate mass lecture context. Highlights effects on students and staff, and supports issues through a formative and summative evaluation. Surveys, focus groups, interviews, video recordings, exam results and reflective diaries provide data for the evaluations. (Author/AEF)

Describes the process evaluation of facilitator training for a risk-reduction program that trained college students and community volunteers to teach middle school students. Examination of facilitator characteristics and training, curriculum implementation, and use of the model to promote critical thinking found that most facilitators considered…