We describe an innovative bioinformatics course developed under grants from the National Science Foundation and the California State University Program in Research and Education in Biotechnology for undergraduate biology students. The project has been part of a continuing effort to offer students classroom experiences focused on principles and…

Distance learning theory and research holds that interaction is an essential characteristic of successful distance learning courses. However, the lack of definition as to what constitutes observable, measurable interactive qualities in distance learning courses has prevented transfer from theory and research to design practices and has hindered…

Despite widespread support for interdisciplinary curricula, there is little evidence that such courses are particularly efficacious or that they are superior to disciplinary courses in promoting student learning. To understand how and why interdisciplinary courses might promote specific learning outcomes, the authors apply cognitive and learning…

The present research examines whether an interpersonal environment may exist in classrooms that are notoriously impersonal: large lecture-based freshman-level general psychology classes. The artificial categorization of teaching and learning styles, and the limits of those categories, is also addressed. Students evaluated the style of teaching in…

Examinations greatly influence course structures and student study strategies. A course for students in the civil and environmental engineering programme at Lulea University of Technology was reconstructed with the aim of increasing levels of understanding. A simple written test was designed to assess low levels of understanding (definitions,…

A process evaluation of a three-credit, upper division career course at a southeastern university is described. Student responses to a standardized course rating instrument were analyzed. Anonymous course evaluations of 293 students enrolled in 11 sections of the career course were compared to student ratings of one section of the course 5 years…

The purpose of the study was to explore and develop a deeper understanding of the quality dimensions of Web-based adult education. Adult educators were asked to rate their organizations with respect to each of the quality indicator items in a forty-one-question survey instrument. Exploratory factor analysis was utilized to identify a six-factor…

Purpose: The paper presents a new paradigm for implementing action learning in a key subject area in a program. Design/methodology/approach: An action research-based course evaluation methodology was linked to course design and development at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Involving students via effective communication provided a sense of…

Recent research has highlighted the importance of emotional awareness and emotional intelligence in organizations, and these topics are attracting increasing attention. In this article, the authors present the results of a preliminary classroom study in which emotion concepts were incorporated into an undergraduate leadership course. In the study,…

Course evaluations are used by many institutions in promotion, tenure, and merit decisions. This article discusses the influences on those evaluations and how faculty can combat those biases to ensure accurate portrayal of their teaching effectiveness. Alternative evaluation methods are reviewed, including portfolios, peer feedback sessions, and…

The first phase of an evaluation of the new AS/A-level course "Advancing Physics," sponsored by the Institute of Physics, is now complete. It shows that the course has achieved very high satisfaction ratings from teachers of the course, and that a majority of these teachers see it as achieving its main aims. The first phase of the…

Introduction: Computer-mediated conferencing (CMC) is a computer messaging system that allows users to engage in asynchronous text-based communications that are independent of time and place. It has been suggested that CMC is an effective modality for facilitating constructivist learning environments that enable adult learners to engage in a…

A recombinant DNA technology course was designed to promote contextual, collaborative, inquiry-based learning of science where students learn from one another and have a sense of ownership of their education. The class stressed group presentations and critical reading and discussion of scientific articles. The laboratory consisted of two research…

"Developing and Assessing an Online Research Writing Course" discusses how the Writing Program at the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB) created a hybrid, online research writing course, Writing 50, and assessed that course. The assessment, which is at the center of this piece, was dovetailed with assessment literature in…

As online courses have become more of an alternative to the traditional classroom environment there's a need for exploring methods on how to evaluate these online courses and their learning objectives. The intent of this research paper is to determine how we can improve online student grades so that failure rates are not 100% higher when comparing…