A survey was conducted of economics faculty at 16 community colleges in Arizona to identify common problems in the teaching of economics and to assist in course articulation and curriculum development. The survey examined faculty attitudes and concerns about placement exams, course sequencing, prerequisites, and such instructional issues as the…

The impact of students' prior interest in course subject matter on their evaluations of instructional effectiveness was determined. Students' evaluations of instructional effectiveness were collected in two different university settings involving 1,102 classes, while instructor self evaluations were also collected in one of these settings…

Brought together in this volume are writings concerning communication and communication education. This collection of writings contains themes which are carried out within and between units. It is designed to give novice teachers of speech communication basic insights and skills for instruction at either the secondary or the college level. Leading…

College professors and elementary and secondary teachers were compared relative to their perspectives on preservice educational measurement courses. In five of eight content areas on a questionnaire, the relative emphases given by professors differed from teachers in the areas of nontest evaluation, statistical analysis, and formative and…

This study was conducted at College of the Canyons (COC), California, in spring 2002 by the Office of Institutional Development and Technology, along with Communications Studies instructor Victoria Leonard. Eighty-three class sections were surveyed to determine the degree to which students agreed or disagreed that their course syllabus clearly…

Five university faculty members identified six broad topic areas in research and statistics that they considered important for Master's level graduate students. The six areas were: (1) types of research; (2) research process; (3) hypothesis testing; (4) data gathering; (5) descriptive statistics; and (6) inferential statistics. These broad areas…

Social work educators must be familiar with issues related to social work, as well as issues from a wider context of education that impact the profession. A practical consideration for academically-based courses involves the relationship between what is taught and what is tested in the social work classroom. Social work educators must decide what…

Surveys two universities regarding their use of and views toward extra-credit assignments. Findings show faculty were more likely to view such assignments negatively, citing the disadvantage of extra credit as encouraging irresponsible attitudes. Students disagree and emphasize the advantage of a second chance. (NL)

Discusses possible problems that may arise in interdisciplinary courses due to lack of instructor education or differing value systems of teachers who are team teaching. Examines strategies for interdisciplinary education, and for the preparation of instructors. Describes potential for communication and confusion in three interdisciplinary…

Four primary factors are relevant to social and cultural diversity in the college classroom: students, teachers, course content, and teaching methods. Faculty can use understanding of these factors and their interrelationships to facilitate learning in an increasingly multicultural environment. (MSE)

A survey of 156 dental hygiene education programs, a majority in community colleges, investigated whether and to what extent they taught nonsurgical gingival curettage. Faculty attitudes about teaching the technique, reasons for not teaching it, and reasons for wanting to include it in their programs were also elicited. (MSE)

A survey of 280 social work educators investigated views on inclusion of curriculum content on religion and spirituality. Most supported inclusion of such a course primarily as an elective. Concerns about how these subjects would be handled in courses was expressed. Appropriate course focus and teaching approaches are discussed. (Author/MSE)

A survey of over 300 colleges and universities indicates that multicultural education is on the ascendancy. Educational issues are raised concerning the application of multicultural education principles on college campuses. These include philosophical issues, curricular issues, faculty issues, pedagogical issues, and the curriculum development…

Describes a schedule for college classroom "preventive maintenance" that focuses on four classroom components: classroom community; students; course content; and faculty. A checklist allows assessment of these components during specific time periods in the semester, and a tune-up kit that includes diagnostic questions, sources of relevant…

Explores a team of college educators' experience with creating an electronic classroom. Addresses the different technology problems that were confronted and considers how history teachers can be convinced to use technology in their courses. Describes the undergraduate U.S. history survey course focusing on the uses of technology. Includes the…