The 10 editions of the newsletter provide a forum for the sharing of research findings, observations, instructional strategies, and opinions on subjects pertaining to college level teaching and college faculty. Multiple subjects are discussed in each issue and are often based on recent books. Among the topics covered and the issues in which they…

Reports on a study of 91 psychology faculty who rated each of 39 extra-credit opportunities on 3 criteria: (1) their use of the item; (2) its educational value; and (3) the likelihood that all students would be able to complete the opportunity (access). Finds that approximately 82% used some form of extra-credit assignment. (CFR)

A course in adult education techniques used game design and playing as an instructional method. A follow-up survey found the 11 participants valued the experience, had some difficulty with the group aspect of game development, were stimulated in different ways, felt grading criteria were appropriate, and would use the technique themselves. (MSE)

Decribes one poet's experience in a writing residency in a Brooklyn intermediate school. Discusses collaboration with teachers, and collecting and publishing an anthology of student poems. Comments on the positive atmosphere and teaching philosophy of this particular school. (JG)

States that part-time university students are discriminated against, most importantly by the students' lack of contact with full-time faculty. Explains the various reasons why full-time teachers cannot or do not want to teach evening classes of adult part-time students and offers some alternatives to alter such attitudes. (MF)

A survey of 365 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University faculty investigated undergraduate grading policies and practices across disciplines. Results reveal patterns in teacher treatment of absolute vs. relative standards, grade recording and averaging, unexcused absences, late work, class participation, and non-achievement-related…

Asserts that feminist instructors try to foster personal and social change. Maintains that feminist teachers must encourage activism in their classrooms to keep feminist culture alive. Describes two outside student activities, discusses group projects, and provides suggestions on student evaluation. (CFR)

Perspectives of academic staff who have been involved in teaching externally are presented in three papers. In "Teaching Students Externally: The First Twelve Years," Frank Molloy examines three aspects of teaching by the external mode: preparing materials, making assignments, and providing educational experiences for students at the…

Presents the advice of six experienced writers for novice teachers of writing. Covers the following topics: (1) preparation and organization; (2) planning meetings; (3) rapport with classroom teachers, and students; (4) classroom discipline; (5) chaos vs. spontaneity; (6) presenting assignments and classroom discussions; (7) writing in class; and…

Reports on a study of instructional strategies and beliefs among 18 middle-school U.S. history teachers and 60 middle-school students. Finds the most widely used strategies involve active learning, group projects, and student participation. Includes a table of the 10 most used strategies and 4 recommendations for instructional design. (CFR)

Noting that teacher education students are unfamiliar with the censorship issue, this paper discusses three kinds of censorship the pre-service English teacher can be expected to face, and suggests ways to prepare them to recognize and remedy anticipated problems. The essay identifies the first kind of censorship as that imposed by English…

College teaching, teaching skills, and practical problems are considered. The emphasis on subject matter specialization in graduate school and effects on the preparation of college teachers are considered, along with suggestions about what beginning college teachers need to know beyond subject matter training. After briefly considering assumptions…

Maintains that to encourage student discussion about history, students must have something to say and be willing to say it, and the teacher must be able to guide a discussion. Describes a secondary-level course in which student discuss assigned readings on an electronic mail bulletin board. (CFR)