Discusses the importance of affective considerations when designing instruction for distance education. Topics discussed include learner motivation based on Keller's ARCS model (Attention, Relevance, Confidence, and Satisfaction); communication patterns that facilitate interaction between students; and ethics involved with marketing programs,…

Evaluates the suitability of commercially produced historical simulation software for college-level history instruction. Provides a software evaluation template. Sees gains at all levels in constructing sequence structures for teaching cause and effect. Recommends that future designers create simulation exercises dedicated to the methodological…

A discussion of economic and social arguments that advance adult literacy is followed by a review of definitions of literacy, issues of literacy instruction, issues of language, and issues of assessment and evaluation. (91 references) (LB)

Discusses Bethel College's assessment process, which evaluates this Christian liberal arts college's achievement of its academic mission and emphases on whole-person development, faith, and service. Describes plans for assessment of learning as part of an accreditation self-study, the marketing of a set-aside Assessment Day, tests given, and…

An Association of American Medical Colleges working group on student professional ethics suggests improving (1) admission criteria; (2) the medical school learning climate, including consideration of cultural diversity; and (3) communication of expectations to students. An AAMC initiative for instruction, instructional material development, and…

Describes steps involved in the process of hiring academic librarians. Topics discussed include refining the job description; forming a search committee and determining appropriate administrative support; salary decisions; selection criteria for qualified candidates; conference placement activities; evaluating applicants, including dealing with…

How portfolio-based conclusions about student learning might be used to communicate with audiences outside the classroom is explored. Procedures and criteria for investigating validity in portfolio use are discussed. Ten portfolios from an eighth grade language arts class are used as an example. (SLD)

Reviews important factors in designing and implementing an evaluation program for academic advising, reviewing specific performance criteria for individual advisors and for program effectiveness. Describes an evaluation model utilizing a five-year review, annual telephone surveys, and monthly written evaluations. Suggests mechanisms for…

A study in one private university classified four academic disciplines as hard or soft and pure or applied, then compared student evaluations of courses for organization, breadth of coverage, group interaction, enthusiasm, grading, and individual rapport. Results suggest a single evaluation form may not be appropriate for all disciplines.…

In response to optometry student complaints about group scores as an inadequate reflection of individual effort, two different procedures for assessing individual contributions to a group learning project were investigated, one based on evaluations by students outside the group and one using student evaluations of their fellow group members'…

Establishes components of high-quality books about the Holocaust for children and young adults. Uses these criteria in a content analysis of six historical novels about the Holocaust. Highlights setting, viewpoint, characterization, plot, style, theme, special features, and author. These criteria can be a model for future analysis of historical…

Court litigation concerning the dismissal of undergraduate and graduate social work students who are academically, behaviorally, or ethically unsuitable to practice as social workers is reviewed. Substance abuse cases are included. Guidelines for educators for developing behavioral and ethical criteria for student suitability are offered.…

Considers the functions of teaching guides, and suggests why their evaluation is a worthwhile activity. The evaluation process is examined, and a set of model criteria for a detailed evaluation are provided. (14 references) (JL)

Issues that program planners should consider in developing performance standards for the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) older worker programs (OWPs) are reviewed. Using goal-setting theory and the results of a two-year evaluation of OWPs in Texas, the discussion covers approaches to developing standards for programs other states. (TJH)

Describes survey of distance education students at the Universitas Terbuka, the Open University of Indonesia, that was conducted to determine characteristics of the students and their attitudes toward distance learning. Findings related to gender, status, age, occupation, and previous qualifications are reported, and implications for third world…