The Helping Relationship Inventory was used to see whether objective improvement in medical student (n=109) communication skills occurred in a relatively brief (nine-hour) small-group course in interviewing. The study demonstrated that even brief small-group interviewing courses can effect a positive change in communication skills. (Author/MSE)

The Electronic Switching System (ESS) Minicourse was designed to serve as a second-stage selection procedure for candidates for the full ESS training program. A criterion-related validity study was undertaken to provide further evidence of validity as well as data helpful in setting a cutting score. (Editor/SJL)

Reports one high school's experiment in diversifying the English curriculum through the use of minicourses. The primary purpose of this study was to determine if this change in curricular structure made a difference in student achievement. Results are presented in tabular form and program guidelines are suggested. (SJL)

Summer Tech '84 was the product of a joint venture of the College of Education of Ohio State University and the Columbus Ohio Public Schools to provide instruction on the use of microcomputers to citizens of the Columbus metropolitan area. For four weeks, 80 different 10-hour classes were offered in eight areas: introductory computer literacy,…

This technical report presents the background, procedures, and outcomes of a shortcourse conducted at the University Center of Dschang (UCD), Cameroon, July 9-15, 1989. The shortcourse trained the 32 participants to use curriculum planning skills to analyze how the UCD curriculum addresses the needs of Cameroon women and prepares graduates to work…

Summer Tech '83 was a joint venture of the College of Education of Ohio State University and the Columbus Ohio Public Schools to provide instruction on the use of microcomputers to citizens of the Columbus metropolitan area. For 4 weeks 53 different 10-hour classes were offered in 7 broad areas: introductory computer literacy, programing, word…

The first year of California State University's program to improve university students' critical reading of introductory texts had two objectives: to develop professors' available repertoire of strategies for guiding students' independent learning from texts and to develop students' facility in learning from texts with adjunct guide materials…

A year-long interdisciplinary project sought to develop professors' available repertoire of strategies for guiding students' independent learning from texts and developing students' ability to learn from texts with adjunct guide materials in a minicourse setting. Adjunct materials included such instructor devised aids as study questions, graphic…

A study examined the effects of instruction in the use of the Internet and prior computer experience on the concerns preservice teachers have about the use of technology in teaching. Subjects were 53 college sophomores, all elementary education majors and members of classes studying the foundations of reading. Participants were surveyed using the…

During 1982-83, the Native American Education Program provided after-school and summer session instruction and supportive services to approximately 450 Native American grade K-12 students scattered throughout New York City. Goals of visiting and interviewing 50% of the target population were realized, with 220 home visits made. Materials and…

Demand for cross-sectoral education and training provision is increasing. These new forms of participation are more likely to require flexible delivery, part-time study, short courses, intersectoral movement, and customized student pathways. Education and training are strongly associated with productivity in the new economy, but participation in…

Central Savannah River Area Cooperative Educational Services Agency (CSRA CESA) implemented a career education project for grades K-12 in the Columbia County School System to develop a replicable model for incremental improvements. The major emphasis was the infusion of career education activities into the teaching of basic skills. Program…

The Step-Up to College Program was initiated in the summer of 1980 to provide basic skills instruction in English and mathematics for incoming freshmen, re-entry adult students, and high school students and adults considering college. Program participants who were enrolled in both the English and math courses (N=125) were asked to take part in a…

Languages have lost status in the educational system, and oral skills are less effectively and rigorously taught. However, a University of Leeds program providing short, intensive courses in administrative and legal French for British civil servants has been found to be very effective in developing the participants' oral and aural skills. The…

Stage 2 of an evaluation assessed the impact of changes to the United Kingdom's national funding rules to include 3- and 6-hour information and communications technology (ICT) courses. Fieldwork consisted of a questionnaire to colleges, postal survey of learners, visits to colleges, and analysis of the national student database for 2000-2001.…