The self-study process at St. Edward's University (Texas) is described. Features examined include its five focal areas (technology, knowledge explosion, experiential learning, multiculturalism, and values), involvement of both the campus and external communities in the self-study, and the vision of a redesigned university that resulted from the…

A study examined general education student assessment efforts at 130 colleges and universities. Based on self-study reports and on-site evaluation reports of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools during the accreditation process, the study looked at implementation, explicit objectives, and use of quantitative and qualitative…

Northwestern University's recently revised undergraduate curriculum is described. Six distributional areas of required study are: natural sciences, formal studies, social and behavioral sciences, historical studies, values, and literature and fine arts. The plan reflects the need for compensatory and transitional courses as well as for…

Relationships between college faculty and administrators are at a crossroads; administrators want more efficient institutional functioning, and faculty want more resources and protection from external interference. However, quality and efficiency are not antithetical, and faculty and administrators can develop both, cooperatively, by focusing on…

An approach has been developed at the US Military Academy (New York) to supplement computer-assisted instruction for weaker students. Four components include computerized grading and feedback on nightly assignments, in-class group exercises that are quickly graded, an adaptive hypermedia interface to the hypermedia course based on individual…

Excerpts from a recent book discuss the role of liberal education in the social context of advancing technology. It is argued that increasingly, graduates should be prepared not as specialists but as individuals trained to learn in a changing world. Topics addressed include use of technology in human problem solving, the teacher's role, diversity,…

Lessons learned while reforming the core curriculum at the College of Saint Catherine (Minnesota) are outlined, including: broad ownership of the curriculum by faculty is essential; sometimes curriculum issues are more about faculty than students; a means for arriving at consensus must be devised; planning should take the curriculum through its…

A national survey of higher education stakeholders, including college-bound students, parents, executives, human resource managers, and recent graduates, found agreement that problem solving, critical thinking, and writing/oral skills can be defined as career skills and are the most important goals of higher education. However, many don't…