A study examined the effects of a college business/professional speaking course on the communication skills' development of students. The research examined three hypotheses: (1) that student ratings of their own communication skills would show a significant improvement after a 16-week course on business and professional speaking; (2) that males…

This paper explains the reasons Empire State College decided to develop a new International Business program using an experiential-learning format, discusses details of the program and how it was organized and implemented in several versions, and makes suggestions about the development of other variations and about how to resolve certain problems…

Imbalances existing between theoretical and practical research and between experimental and naturalistic research can be corrected by teacher educators who conduct research on what they are already doing as part of their professional assignments. These educators are persons whose expertise typically includes several years in the classroom prior to…

This paper focuses on a critical analysis and reanalysis of two earlier multisection validity meta-analyses of student ratings of instruction. The reanalysis is based on a sharpening of criteria for: (1) including studies in the meta-analysis; (2) defining key study characteristics that influence results; and (3) calculating the correlational…

This study assesses research findings and practical field experiences emerging from electronic text trials and services with emphasis on applications of electronic text that have served the needs of higher education. However, research findings and case studies from commercial applications, as well as secondary and K-8 electronic text projects, are…

The concern over cannabis and its possible effects have prompted the establishment of the National Institute on Drug Abuse. This project was funded as one of a number of international studies focussing on chronic cannabis use in its natural setting. Four major ethnic South African groups were examined relative to their use of cannabis: African,…

The purpose of this study was to design a performance-based module to instruct student teachers in aspects of critical thinking and the teacher behaviors which promote critical thinking in pupils and to conduct a field test of that module. The two hypotheses tested were: student teachers who have experienced a training module which is designed to…

Describing information gathered from a three-week (1976) tour of environmental education field studies programs in faculties of education and teachers' colleges located in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Western Germany, this report presents comparative program and text summaries and recommends procedures for the Ontario Ministry of…

Reports on an attempt to relate academic models of urban communities to actual housing and community development for a student population of mixed graduate/advanced undergraduate levels and anthropology/urban studies majors. (CJM)

A study of approximately 600 University of Arkansas remedial algebra students divided into seven control and seven experimental group sections substantially confirms John Saxon's findings that mathematics achievement can be improved by using Saxon's incremental approach to mathematics instruction. (JBM)

Authors outline a two-quarter, graduate sociology course in fieldwork that they teach at the University of California, Davis. The course addresses the tasks of data collection, focusing gathered data scientifically, data analysis, and dealing with consequences of the research. (GC)

In reference to a preceding article by Bogdan, outlines an "alternative model" for the teaching of educational fieldwork to graduate students. The course described is an introduction to fieldwork based on the concept of the classroom as the most fundamental unit in contemporary educational systems. (GC)

Examines value of higher education field studies. Describes agricultural field programs in California and Sri Lanka, examining relationship of classroom work to field work. Details students' reflections. Emphasizes experiential learning as valuable for both student and teacher. Concludes field work fosters realistic, meaningful interpretations of…

This article proposes a model of distance education for schools of social work. The model involves use of videotapes, an on-site discussion leader/field instructor, computers, and direct observation by field instructors. Possible problems are addressed as are evaluation concerns and policy issues. (DB)

Comments on Reba Page's use of the author's work, known as the Brad trilogy, in a lesson on validity in interpretive research methods. Wolcott prefers involving students more immediately with field work than in Page's approach. Discusses his intentions in writing the Brad trilogy and the questions it has raised. (DSK)