A self-instructional workshop is described in which the effectiveness of a text was determined by pretest and posttest. The results suggest that pretesting and posttesting along with self-instructional materials are feasible alternatives to the usual lecture approach to continuing education. (LBH)

Four popular approaches to faculty development are identified: (1) financial incentive programs; (2) lectures and discussion groups focusing on broad issues of higher education and common teaching problems; (3) in-service courses and workshops dealing with specific instructional skills; and (4) feedback programs. (LBH)

The workshop that is the subject of this report, one in a series of workshops made possible through a grant to the CFE from the National Science Foundation, is the starting point for that effort. The center's mission is to promote evidence-based policy analysis that both responds to current needs and anticipates future ones. This one-day workshop…

"The Achiever" is a monthly newsletter designed expressly for parents and community leaders. Each issue contains news and information about school improvement in the United States. Highlights of this issue include: (1) New Legislation Promises More Choices for Low-income Families; (2) A Look at Three Schools Reaching for "No Child…

Noting that family members are a child's first teachers and set the course for future success, this activity book of "literacy learning parties" presents 10 activities that can be used at home to practice the skills and ideas learned at parent literacy workshops. Presented in English and Spanish versions, the activity book discusses the importance…

Multi Media Madness (3Ms) was a faculty development program where participants were guided by mentors through the development of a multimedia project. Nine faculty participants attended a week long workshop session in June 2003 taught by three mentors. At the end of the workshop series, the participants submitted a project plan that was reviewed,…

During the last twenty years, there has been a shift in the academy's philosophy regarding Teaching Assistants (TAs). Consequently, TAs are no longer rated and trained by how useful they are to the university, but rather by their usefulness to the future professoriate. In order to successfully launch a training program that satisfies this…

This workshop, written in both English and Spanish, focuses on improving communication between physician and patient. In the workshop, the trainers will talk about "building bridges" between patient and doctor by understanding the doctor's role and his/her duty to the patient. According to the workshop, a person's doctor should…

This document summarizes the content and conclusions of a workshop focusing on the transformation of traditional science, mathematics, engineering, and technology (SME&T) lectures and laboratories into more active learning environments. Presenters described innovative undergraduate courses in a range of SME&T disciplines. Using information…

Increased attention on the quality of teaching has meant an increase in the use of student surveys as a measure of perceived teaching quality. Many student surveys, which typically take the form of teacher and course evaluations, are conducted at the end of a school term and are more summative in nature. Results are given to the instructor after…

The writing workshop has endured and even flourished in thousands of schools across the country because no other approach or program matches the writing workshop when it comes to growing strong writers. This guide introduces and explains the writing workshop and reveals how it can be a potent tool for empowering young writers. The guide aims to be…

Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI) offers an annual 2-week intensive Summer Faculty Writing Forum. This Forum accepts up to 15 faculty each year from schools and disciplines across the campus. These faculty members, more used to the role of writing to demonstrate learning, investigate the capacity of writing to…

Articles in this publication address the writing process, teaching writing, and research on the teaching of writing, and take the form of personal experience or opinion, or explore the work of others who have contributed to the field. Articles in the first issue of this volume include: "It's a Frame-Up: Helping Students Devise Beginnings and…

This professional development guide focuses on teaching secondary students effective communication skills in both professional and social situations. Information in the guide will assist the teacher in determining the students' understanding of the communication process and build on this understanding by providing the communication skills needed…

Participants in a weekend outdoor recreation program for women completed surveys on the reasons women participate in single-sex outdoor workshops. The 100 responding participants were primarily White, middle-class, highly educated, and between the ages of 18 and "over 55." The top 10 reasons for participating in the workshop are given,…