Describes the development, objectives, content, and evaluation of a unique, 60-minute, synchronized slide/tape program on prehospital burn care for emergency medical technicians; and presents a design for valid content-reference formative evaluation. (Author/VT)

The role and structure of the "Open University" in Great Britain reflects basic social changes and attitudes. (JD)

The relationships between factors of knowledge utilization and implementation of treatment innovations in mental health agencies following consultation are discussed. Agencies adopting the procedures report values and philosophies similar to those embodied in the innovation; more accurate information about the new procedures; stronger need for…

Evaluation of state advanced technology programs has begun in response to budget reviews. Issues include: (1) political and institutional contexts of evaluation; (2) technical issues concerning outcome specifications, use of process indicators, and dependence on self-reported assessments; and (3) use of evaluation in policy making. (TJH)

A field study of Canadian Government bureaucracy illustrates two perspectives on strategic decision processes. Processes follow a structured progression or are anarchic, wherein decisions are inferred from outcomes of fortuitous combinations of events. Both perspectives facilitate processual understanding but fail to specify the influence of…

Dutch television producers investigated methods of redesigning thematic educational broadcasts directed at independent adult learning. Results focused on context and image, content, form, and appeal to the audience. (Author/LRW)

Characteristics of new information technologies have implications for their evaluation. The instability of most technologies, and their novelty for most users, calls into question the value of experimental summative studies. Their interactive character challenges the traditional formative paradigm. Case studies and field experiments can help to…

Effects of training four urban high school principals in problem solving with adolescents and family members were assessed in simulation and naturalistic settings. Quality of problem solving exhibited was greater following training. Other principals indicated that the training program would be beneficial to themselves and other school…

The formative evaluation of an experimental French class is described; several common evaluative techniques and their specific findings for this class are discussed; and the use of the formative approach for evaluation of innovative second language instruction is supported. (MSE)

Latent image processing is a method which reveals hidden ink when marked with a special pen. Using multiple-choice items with commercially available latent image transfers can provide immediate feedback on take-home quizzes. Students benefitted from formative evaluation and were challenged to search for alternative solutions and explain unexpected…

The Administrative Decision-Making Skills Project, undertaken for the New Zealand State Services Commission, is described. A philosophical model of decision making and the associated teaching/learning package for government officers is evaluated. The project, including instruments, methodology, and major findings, is evaluated. (Author/LMO)

Analyzes the transfer of "Sesame Street" to Brazil and Mexico. Explains how the short-run success and long-run failure of the transfer can be found in the nature of the supplier-receiver relationships and in the emphasis on product transfer rather than process modification and adjustment. (PD)

Questionnaires were developed for students and teachers and used with National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Software Evaluation Checklist to compare student and teacher perceptions of computer assisted instruction software. Results indicate that formative evaluation should include feedback from both students and teachers to improve software…

The paper considers some of the problems involved in the interpretation of participants' evaluations of management development programs. In particular, it argues that, in the case of participative "open evaluation" sessions, it is important to recognize that participants' attitudes and feelings toward the learning group may influence the…

This article proposes a formative appraisal system for improving classroom instruction that is characterized by a small number of teachers for each supervisor, cooperative goal setting, and the use of modeling techniques, low-inference observation instruments, and regular, timely feedback. Anticipated benefits include greater teacher…