Discusses a strategy for teaching students about how the Social Security Trust Fund works. Explains that a flow chart is presented to the students; four terms are defined (deficit, surplus, debt, and reserve); and a new graph is prepared to show the paths of these four variables. (CMK)

Discusses four reasons why economic forecasting courses are important: (1) forecasting skills are in demand by businesses; (2) forecasters are in demand; (3) forecasting courses have positive externalities; (4) and forecasting provides a real-world context. Describes what should be taught in an economic forecasting course. (CMK)

According to responses from 33 of 52 nursing departments in England, 90% integrated pharmacology into curricula; 82% preferred that nurses teach it; 88% provided no training for lecturers. Lecture was the predominant teaching method. About one-fifth did not formally assess pharmacology knowledge. Students lacked math and science preparation for…

Focuses on children of the 21st century and their books, both of which have changed dramatically over the past decade. Suggests that teachers and librarians need to recognize and understand the implications of these changes in children and their books in order to provide a reading environment to which children will readily relate and in which they…

Responds to an article titled "One Month Teacher Training Courses: Time for a Change?" by G. Ferguson and S. Donno. Focuses on the main issues raised in the earlier article, including the length of the course, the selection process, course content, and post certificate. (Author/VWL)

Presents a Web site that utilizes the Learning-by-Objective (LBO) model that integrates Internet tools for knowledge transmission, communication, and assessment of learning. Explains that the LBO model has been used in creating micro and macroeconomic course Web sites with WebCT software. (CMK)

Content analysis of Chinese nursing education curriculum and U.S. associate degree nursing curriculum revealed differences in course offerings, time allocation, clinical instruction, and clinical experience. Chinese curriculum emphasized physiology and disease and had minimal humanities and social sciences content. Limited clinical experiences…

A 1999 survey of 408 nursing programs followed up on a 1995 survey (n=298). Most current respondents included content on abuse of women, children, and the elderly; 63% reported no faculty development on violence issues; 67% had not evaluated violence-related curriculum since 1995; only 39% felt that the curriculum adequately addressed violence,…

In Europe, 47 gerontology programs offer academic degrees and 11 offer postvocational certificates. Diversity of terminology and qualifications suggests a need for coordination. European Union members are development a European Master Gerontology program with equally structured core modules. Coursework must account for different countries' social…

Describes a year-long core humanities course at Washington State University in which freshman composition is linked to a world civilizations context. Explains how the linked course aims to prepare students for the writing and thinking tasks they need for other courses in college and after they graduate. (MG)

Reports the results of a survey of graduates, employers, and instructors of engineering technology programs for the essential topics in mechanical engineering technology, mechanical drafting/design technology, manufacturing engineering technology, and industrial engineering technology. Identifies the proficiency level suggested for classwork and…

Uses imaginary tools to create distributions of sample means, the differences among them, the mean difference scores, and the raw score populations. Using this technique helps students grasp the distinctions between them. Generalizes to hypothesis testing aids in answering probability questions, and enhances teaching techniques. (Author/NL)

Introduces an innovative approach to teaching a sociology of education course. Suggests the various approaches to sociology have distracted professionals from its central relevance. Critiques present orientations to a sociology of education course and recommends placing emphasis on the logic or theoretical/conceptual framework for organizing key…

A rationale for requiring content on gay and lesbian issues in the social work curriculum, to decrease homophobic attitudes and prepare students to provide effective practice, is presented. Methods and resources for incorporating lesbian and gay issues in human behavior, direct practice, policy, community organization, and research courses are…

Briefly describes the methods used to provide library orientation (an introduction to the physical plant, policies, procedures and resources of the library) and library instruction (bibliographic and research skills) in Nigerian medical libraries. (five references) (CLB)