This paper addresses the methodological issues encountered when attempting to evaluate a college course's effectiveness by determining whether students who enroll in it perform at higher levels than students who did not enroll. The paper identifies resource people who may be helpful in the evaluation, and offers guidelines for the research…

This study is the final report of an investigation into the effectiveness of Student Teams Achievement Divisions (STAD), a system of cooperative learning at the postsecondary level. The study specifically examined the relationships between a student's evaluation of his/her own effectiveness as a STAD team member, and other variables in a…

Achievement in Mathematics (AIM), an algebra class at Lexington Community College, has successfully demonstrated the benefits of collaborative study. Six sections of Intermediate Algebra were taught by three instructors, each teaching one traditional section and one collaborative section. All six sections were given the same lectures, tests, and…

Student satisfaction with distance education instruction was assessed in the context of slow scan interactive television between two university campuses and between a university campus and a business location. The three studies focused on graduate level courses. The research questions addressed were: (1) Is the level of student satisfaction with…

This paper describes an institutional research office's use of extensive senior survey data to examine indirectly the effectiveness of a career services early intervention program over a period of four years. The study compared responses on the senior survey by participants (N=200) in the sophomore career exploration seminar with responses of…

A pilot pull-out program for the gifted in British Columbia, Canada (grades five, six, and seven) is described, and evaluation results are presented. Thinking and communication skills are developed through games, field trips, individual projects, multiple problem-solving tasks, and challenging work in fields such as fine arts, history, and…

A course in pharmacy administration principles at the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy taught by Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) was found to produce generally favorable student evaluation of course and instructor. Examples of instructional unit objectives are provided. (Author/MLW)

Investigated whether a self-paced, individualized instruction course in chemistry and physics would result in: (1) greater level of achievement of academically underprepared students (N=80); (2) more satisfaction with instruction; and (3) more positive attitudes when compared with conventional instruction. Results indicate individualized treatment…

A new look at the standard lecture/discussion format for the large introductory college course is offered, along with suggestions to upgrade its quality. Foci for improvement include organization of lecture material, teacher-student interaction, lecture delivery, feedback, discussion group supervision, and course evaluation. (JMD)

A survey of 436 faculty at one university concerning usefulness of student ratings of teaching found little resistance to ratings in general or their use in faculty evaluation. Usefulness of feedback was viewed differentially, with feedback on interaction with students seen as most useful, followed by feedback on grading practices, global ratings…

Evaluated a practice-site learning experience for 55 doctoral pharmacy students, using student logs and written summaries and pre- and post-experience surveys concerning student awareness, understanding, and mastery of desired outcomes. Students indicated increased awareness and understanding of desired outcomes, and found patient interaction…

This is the second article in the series entitled "Reaching Distance Students with Computer Network Technology." It discusses the use of computer network technology to supplement other learning resources and online activities for optional assignments involving e-mail, online research, library catalogs, databases, electronic journals, and…

Compares the grade point averages (GPA's) in mathematics and English of community college freshmen who completed developmental courses with those of students who took no remedial courses. Developmental students had significantly higher GPA's in college-level math than non-developmental students, and somewhat higher GPA's in college-level English.…

Evaluates the use of computerized tutorial support for elementary statistics instruction in five education and social work courses, both graduate and undergraduate. Pretests and posttests used to measure student attitudes toward statistics and toward computers are described, and preferred learning environments before and after the course are…

Describes a university campus health promotion program that also trained family practice residents in health promotion skills. The core course emphasized stress management, aerobic conditioning, interpersonal relationship skills, and nutrition. Pre- and posttesting indicated most respondents believed the course had some lasting effect on their…