This paper examines a particular methodology of teaching engineering design to undergraduate engineering students, which relies on Lego[R] Mindstorms[TM]. A number of important issues are addressed, including the timing of the design module within the programme, prior knowledge required and assessment components. The module, which has been running…

In this study we analyse how the experiences of chemistry teachers on the use of a Microcomputer-Based Laboratory (MBL), gathered by a Likert-scale instrument, can be utilized to develop the new package "Empirica 2000." We used exploratory factor analysis to identify the essential features in a large set of questionnaire data to see how…

This article describes how a small business school, as part of a strategic planning initiative to improve career services, added a self-directed career planning lab to an existing managerial communication course. The lab concept and the learning design are innovative because they met a student need without creating additional time demands on the…

German libraries have developed a learning information system to improve information literacy among German students. An online tutorial based on this Lerninformationssystem has been developed. The structure of this learning information system is described, an online tutorial based on it is illustrated, and the different learning styles that it…

Today's high school students and biology teachers alike face challenges arising from constantly-changing environments. From global warming to species reduction to energy policy, the issues the students will face will have immediate and long-lasting implications. At the same time, biology teachers are charged with achieving legislated standards,…

On-line teaching material in health psychology was developed which ensured a range of students could access appropriate material for their course and level of study. This material has been developed around the concept of smaller "content chunks" which can be combined into whole units of learning (topics), and ultimately, a module. On the…

It is not what is taught that has the most influence on students' study behaviour, but rather what is assessed. Computer-assisted assessment offers the possibility of widening the scope of the material that is assessed, without placing excessive burdens on either staff or students. This article describes a computer-assisted assessment scheme…

This article presents an experimental study demonstrating how 120 learners use help tools in a virtual learning set-up. More specifically, several types of tutoring are investigated to find out the extent of the use of help tools in each. The effects of two independent variables which may have an impact on the behaviour of learners are studied:…

This instructor's guide to mathematics instruction is one of the five books developed during a 21-month cooperative project to develop instructional materials that enhance skills in a workplace context. Partners in the project included the University of Texas at Austin, consultants, the Austin/Travis County Private Industry Council, Hart Graphics,…

This student edition of learning modules in refresher mathematics is one of the five books developed during a 21-month cooperative project to develop instructional materials that enhance skills in a workplace context. Partners in the project included the University of Texas at Austin, consultants, the Austin/Travis County Private Industry Council,…

Developed as part of the ABCs of Construction National Workplace Literacy Project, this instructional module teaches word attack skills for use in understanding technical terms encountered by persons employed in the occupation of millwright. The following topics are covered: the principles of structural analysis, word parts and their use in…

Developed as part of the ABCs of Construction National Workplace Literacy Project, this instructional module consists of instructional materials and application problems designed to help persons employed as millwrights learn to measure decimals. The six exercises included in the module each consist of series of problems in which students are…

The University of South Carolina is using assessment to bring about academic change in general education at several levels: the individual student; system-wide courses; and the entire general education program. The approach uses both qualitative and quantitative data, and has enabled faculty to collaborate both across disciplines and all eight…

This curriculum outline presents the components of a course which introduces students to the modern economies of Asia and their relationship and interdependence with the United States economy. First, the goals and student objectives of the course are listed. Next, the course outline and assignments are presented, emphasizing the following basic…

This curriculum outline presents the components of an introductory course to French culture which focuses on the colonization of French Polynesia. First, the general goals and student objectives for the course, which focuses on different historical periods of French Polynesia, are discussed. Next, the pre-test to determine students knowledge of…