Discusses the importance of including evaluation as part of training programs. Topics discussed include the CIPP (Context, Input, Process, Product) Training Program Development and Evaluation Model; audience analysis; modularized course development procedures; instructors' guides; and checkpoints to observe during the course development process.…

Describes the background and 38 steps of the development of the Australian Science Education Project (ASEP) Curriculum. Discusses some implications and eight points using formative evaluation to improve science curriculum materials. (YP)

The article traces the path of change, over several years, in school culture through a school district's five-year Human Resource Development Program, presents formative evaluation data, reveals critical change decisions, and speculates on what might have been done differently. (CB)

This discussion of authentic assessment stresses that such assessment should be contextual (based on the context of meaning), collaborative (involves learners), and constructive (supports risk-taking). It compares tools designed for formative assessment including criteria checklists, "kidwatching," profiles, conferences, and portfolios. (DB)

Discusses individual perceptional modality preferences, including verbalization versus visualization, reading versus listening, and audio versus video. Literature on perception and on mental representation and learning styles is reviewed, and theoretical and practical implications for instructional materials design are suggested, including the use…

Assessment can be part of the instructional process in physical education. Continual assessments provide students and teachers with ongoing feedback about students' progress. The article explains what teachers can assess, who can assess, student participation in assessment, process and product assessment, and teacher-, peer-, and self-directed…

Discussion of cross-cultural media transfer emphasizes computer software portability. Educational aspects of portability are discussed; types of software most suitable to portability are described; educational guidelines for portability that focus on linguistic, contextual, structural, and motivational factors are offered; and a formative…

Examines the role of students in the formative evaluation of instructional materials and reviews research on criteria for selecting students for the evaluation process. Studies that investigated the following criteria are described: (1) level of verbalization; (2) aptitude; and (3) cognitive styles field-dependent and field-independent. (18…

Describes the design of "Pharyngitis in Louisiana," a computer-based epidemiologic case study that was created to teach students how to conduct disease outbreak investigations. Topics discussed include realistic content portrayals; graphics; interactive teaching methods; interaction between the instructional designer and the medical…

The effect that formative evaluation in the mathematics teaching process has on achievement, transfer, and retention of mathematics content and student attitudes was studied with 29 junior secondary school students in Nigeria and 31 controls. Results demonstrated the potential of formative evaluation to diagnose student problems and give immediate…

Makes case for using performance assessments in career development interventions conducted in the classroom. Examples are drawn from "Pathways," a recently developed Canadian program for career development. Limitations of performance assessments are discussed, followed by recommendations for practice and research. (Author)

Describes a study that assessed the impact of four half-hour science programs for fourth graders aired on commercial radio in a causal-comparative between-groups study with prebroadcast and postbroadcast questionnaires. Formative and summative evaluation of the programs is described, and results are reviewed. (21 references) (LRW)

Examines assumptions about Britain's Management Charter Initiative (MCI)--a competency-based approach to management education. Explores delegate motivation, significant in the process of accrediting prior learning. (JOW)

Concepts of formative and process evaluation are discussed, and their applications in health promotion and disease prevention are reviewed. Process evaluation fulfills the need for information on program implementation, whereas formative evaluation aims to help develop and improve programs from an early stage. Both evaluations can increase program…

This study of 343 elementary school students with learning disabilities examined whether different approaches to teachers' use of progress monitoring data related to differences in achievement. Achievement differences were not found to relate to varying data utilization approaches. The two factors consistently related to student reading progress…