Focuses on an activity used in an introductory psychology course that enabled students (n=65) to comprehend the concepts of obedience, conformity, and social roles in the area of social psychology. Explains that the students found the activity to be helpful in understanding the role of social influence. (CMK)

Presents a study that examined the reactions of students to a classroom exercise in which students observed how gender stereotypes influenced memory processes. Explains how one student tells a story to second student; that student tells a third student; and the third student tells the entire class the story. (CMK)

Describes a class assignment that was used in a social psychology course in which students worked in groups of three and produced a 15-20 minute presentation about a prominent social psychologist. Evaluates the reactions of the students to the assignment. (CMK)

Presents an analysis of undergraduate methods course textbooks (n=26) published in the United States with copyright dates from 1995-1999. Examines aspects of the textbooks, such as demographic qualities, use of pedagogical aids and illustrative material, and topic coverage. Includes the results in detail. (CMK)

Examines the use of reciprocal peer tutoring (RPT) within the field of education through two experiments: (1) students enrolled in five sections of an introductory educational research course at the graduate level; and (2) undergraduate students within four sections of a human development course. Includes references. (CMK)

Presents the findings of a study of the computerized assessment of essays on a final-year module within an undergraduate degree program. Students were required to create an essay, self-assess it, perform peer assessment, then reflectively self-assess their work for a second time after peer feedback. Discusses assessing higher order cognitive…

Provides an exercise for students in cross-cultural communication with the goal of improving understanding about the elements of culture and increasing the relevance of sociology. States that participants are divided into two groups with different cultural norms for communication and then allowed to interact with each other. (DAJ)

Discusses the use of apprenticeships in music education focusing on the benefits of this approach for the students. Describes the Apprentice Adjudicator Project (AAP) that enables undergraduate music education majors to observe experienced music teachers during a festival. Includes apprentice and adjudicator survey forms. (CMK)

Undergraduates in clinical placement formed a team within a larger clinical team and attended problem-based tutorials. Data from exit interviews, surveys, and team conferences revealed discomfort with the preceptors' role, peer support among students, improved communication styles, and mutual learning between students and professionals. (SK)

Examines the development of undergraduate library and information science education at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth in the context of educational change in the United Kingdom from 1967 through 1997. Discusses the joint honors program, the merger of the College of Librarianship Wales and the University College of Wales, and distance…

Describes the National Science Foundation (NSF) report on undergraduate science education that emphasizes goals for undergraduate education. Discusses barriers to improving science, mathematics, engineering, and technology education and highlights recommendations based on the report. Concludes that the report contains a useful look back at the…

Evaluates the preservice music teacher preparation program at a large Big Ten university through the perceptions of beginning teachers, their mentors, and administrators. Gathers data using interviews, focus groups, journals, and classroom observations. Identifies the most and least valuable parts of the program. Provides suggestions for the…

Addresses three questions: (1) What is high quality geography teaching in higher education; (2) how can high quality teaching be identified and evaluated; and (3) to what extent are faculty and departments held accountable for teaching quality? Explores how the answers to these questions vary between the United Kingdom and the United States. (CMK)

Responses of 25 Northern Ireland business students who undertook client-sponsored projects in local businesses reported increased proficiency in conducting research, improved competence in export management, development of soft skills, and better ability to apply theory to practice. (SK)

Focuses on the implementation of a peer-led team learning (PLTL) instructional approach for students in an undergraduate organic chemistry course and the evaluation of student outcomes over eight years. Compares students who experienced the student-centered instruction and worked in small groups facilitated by a peer leader to students who…