A graduate-level computational chemistry course was designed and developed and carried out in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the Fall of 2005. The thrust of the course was a reaction assignment that led students through a series of steps, beginning with energetic predictions based upon fundamental…

A discussion of the present potential impact of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and Proficiency Guidelines on classroom teaching and curriculum design argues that proficiency-oriented instruction cannot and should not claim to be a new method for foreign language teaching. Although many…

This history and state-of-the-art review of computer graphics describes computer graphics programs and proposed programs at Sheridan College (Canada), the Rhode Island School of Design, the University of Oregon, Northern Illinois University, and Ohio State University. These programs are discussed in terms of their philosophy, curriculum, student…

Empire State College of New York has published a report which describes and analyzes the nature and the dynamics of the Introductory Phase of three professional fields within the school's Master of Arts program: Business and Policy Studies, Labor and Policy Studies, and Culture and Policy Studies. The report is arranged according to program…

A study investigated higher education communication curricula in foreign countries to determine the status (program offerings, objectives and trends) of communication curricula throughout the world. Considering the difficulty in preparing a comprehensive international inventory, a modified "snowball technique" (involving a series of…

State policies to encourage elementary teachers to teach for understanding and thinking are more comprehensive in California than in any other state. Based on in-depth interviews with eight curriculum and policy experts and an analysis of over 100 documents, this report describes efforts being advanced across six policy fronts: (1) curriculum…

This paper discusses the Broadcast Education Association's Model Curriculum Project and traces the attempts of the task force to develop national models. The focus of the paper is on mission statements, professional orientations of departments, and core courses. Though diversity is celebrated, the paper argues that model programs must grapple with…

This RAMP (Records and Archives Management Programme) study is intended for people involved in planning and conducting archival and records management training; for individual archivists and records managers interested in professional development through continuing education programs; and for all information professionals interested in learning of…

It is now almost universally acknowledged that science education must be rejuvenated to serve the needs of American society. An emerging science of science education based on recent advances in psychological research could make this rejuvenation dramatic. Four aspects of psychological research relevant to science curriculum design are discussed:…

This brief document presents the sixth-grade mathematics curriculum specifications for Alberta schools, developed by a committee of teachers, consultants, and provincial department personnel. The guidelines for the specifications are listed, followed by a table noting the percent of emphasis on numeration, operation and properties, measurement,…

Based on prescribed social studies content and objectives for twelfth-grade Alberta, Canada students, the specifications described in this document are intended to serve two purposes: (1) to identify specific course content and objectives that should be considered in evaluating student progress and achievement in Social Studies 30; and (2) to…

Myth is integral to modern as well as ancient societies in its service to multiple interrelated social functions. Among these are to explain phenomena and direct action, to justify particular interests or practices, to dramatize ideals, and to provide cultural cohesion. Three prevailing myths that are especially problematic are the myths of…

The relationship between curriculum design and improvement in student ability to reason critically was studied, using data gathered in an evaluation of a citizen leadership institute for high school students. While the literature on teaching thinking emphasizes direct instruction both to introduce reasoning skill to students and to promote its…

Teaching about law-related education (LRE) in elementary and secondary schools is an important social studies trend. This ERIC Digest considers: (1) the meaning of law-related education; (2) reasons for including LRE in the curriculum; (3) methods of incorporating LRE into a curriculum; and (4) characteristics of effective LRE programs. Education…

Defining curriculum design as a critically examined theoretical framework for developing curriculum, this document examines various decision-making processes of planning curriculum. Discussed are the importance of curriculum design, and attempts to examine four systems of curriculum thought, along with curriculum design currently available for…