Defines self-formative evaluation as the formative evaluation of instructional materials conducted during the development of the product by its users or developers. Topics discussed include the results of a study that examined users' attitudes toward such evaluation, their ability to execute it, and the effects of training on that ability. (CLB)

Reviews current systems designed to help end-users search online databases without the assistance of an intermediary and describes a prototype system which emulates the Deco (the text storage and retrieval system used by Unilever) interface on Dialog and Data-Star. Initial trials of the prototype system are reported. (15 references) (MES)

Addresses the four questions raised by Yelon about use of pretests with instruction--should I pretest; on what should I pretest; how should I pretest; how should I adjust to results--and answers them from the perspective of instructional designers conducting formative evaluations to improve quality of instruction under development. (MBR)

The effects of different group processes on team performance is examined using a formative evaluation. A taxonomy of six different decision-making and leadership styles is developed. Cohesion was found to be a significant factor in explaining high performance. (Author/BL)

In an attempt to correct for limitations in the Program Evaluation and Review Technique-Critical Path Method (PERT-CPM), the Graphical Evaluation and Review Technique (GERT) has been developed. This management tool allows for evaluation during the facilities' development process. Two figures and two references are provided. (DCS)

A workable solution to the problem of how to test out an interactive video program before paying for videotape production and editing involves creating a videotape template of the computer program's flowchart to reproduce the actual interactive experience and thus check for program accuracy. (MBR)

A pilot study showed that classroom observational data can contribute to the formative evaluation of an instructional model, as well as of the learning processes and outcomes of individual students. (JY)

In this article, the authors describe one small liberal arts college's experience implementing a four-page strategic plan and outline the challenges in allocating resources and gauging outcomes that arose during the planning process. They conclude that the simplicity of the four-page plan, though hiding some of the real complexity of strategic…

This research report builds on the results of the CATCH project (Webb and Dekker, 2002). The CATCH project is an effort to apply and scale up previous results and design a professional development program to bring about fundamental changes in teachers' instruction to support change in teachers' formative assessment practices. In this report we…

This paper examines the relationships among administrative support, interdisciplinary team functioning, classroom practices, and student outcomes. It is premised on the need to move beyond examinations of the team process and explore the effects of processes on student learning. The report is based on a systemic research project that studied 60…

Since the "National Science Education Standards" were published in 1996, it has become apparent that the standards did not provide sufficient guidance on the key topics needed for implementation. Assessment was identified as a topic requiring more detail and guidance, as well as scientific inquiry, technology in the science curriculum,…

Corporate and educational settings increasingly require decision-making, problem-solving and other complex cognitive skills to handle ill-structured, or heuristic, tasks, but the growing need for heuristic task expertise has outpaced the refinement of task analysis methods for heuristic expertise. The Heuristic Task Analysis (HTA) Method was…

This report details the activities of the Education Commission of the States (ECS) during 1999-2000. The accomplishments of the ECS are presented in six parts: constituent/state services; information services; conferences, workshops, and other meetings; organizational performance; key issues; and priorities for 2000 and beyond. The highlights of…

The various procedures followed in validating some research tools to be used to investigate Nigerian pupils' attitudes toward and achievements in geography taught by programmed instruction are described. The roles of formative evaluation in preparing curriculum materials in geography are highlighted. (Author)