This article focuses on the changes made in the undergraduate laboratory program of the first degree course in chemical engineering at the University of Bath (England). Describes experiments relating to the Engineering Applications 1 (EA1) requirements set by the Engineering Council. (YP)

Provides information about the current state of examinations equivalent to A-level in France and Germany. This article is the second in a series offering a comparative view of assessment patterns so as to inform the debate about the future development of A-level. The article covers years 11, 12 and 13 of the German School System. (five references)…

Reports results of interviews and tests carried out with students after they had been taught the topic of evolution. Different interpretations of Charles Darwin's theories are also analyzed. Results revealed that students show a poor understanding of evolutionary theories. (ZWH)

Describes a set of writing assignments in a high school English class in which students research controversial, complex issues and then write letters to government officials or persuasive essays for other students, thus learning about persuasive writing, and civic action, and becoming more exacting in their language and more precise in their…

Describes a study that compared three graduate level hypermedia courses and investigated whether a certain sequence or specific content might affect students' attitudes toward hypermedia. Authorware-based courses are compared with HyperCard-based courses, and the use of the Stages of Concern Questionnaire is discussed. (LRW)

Outlines the historical development of Australian cataloging education. Examines changes made in three cataloging courses to obtain balances between cataloging theory and practice. Summarizes the opinions of librarians, library students, and educators on the proportions of theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and personal attributes helpful in…

A discussion of the role of specialization within intellectual disciplines looks at three related aspects of any discipline (history, cognition, culture), then gives an account of an English course reflecting the author's specialized intellectual interest. It is argued that a better understanding of scholarly activity is needed. (MSE)

Presents the use of geographic information system (GIS) technology in the laboratory section of an upper-level college course in soil physics. The laboratory includes a lecture portion that provides an introduction to GIS and selected applications to soil science, agriculture, and environmental sciences. (LZ)

Describes a class demonstration of observer bias in which students were led to believe what the research data would indicate. Reports that students reported trends consistent with the expectancy. Asserts that the demonstration had a strong and memorable effect on students and has value for demonstrating observer bias. (CFR)

Addresses multiculturalism in science education reform: (1) problems with the universalist account of the nature of science; (2) an examination of some historical cases that illuminate the consequences of maintaining a universalist perspective on science; and (3) an argument for a multicultural perspective on scientific knowledge. Argues that the…

Describes the importance of leadership as an informing and unifying discipline for the preparation of performance technologists and explores the impact of this orientation on a pertinent course at Western Michigan University. Topics include leadership behaviors, vision, motivation, conflict, decision making, communication, change, followership,…

Presents the results of a survey investigating foreign language needs in the legal profession. Questions in the survey focused on the foreign languages most relevant to the profession, entrance requirements regarding the level of knowledge of the foreign language, training requirements in the foreign language, and potential uses of the target…

Responses from 156 of 430 trade/industrial teachers, of whom 123 were secondary, indicated they perceived affective competencies to be a more important outcome of technology education than cognitive or psychomotor; ability to measure and use hand tools/equipment was more important than using high-tech machines. (SK)

A United Kingdom teacher training course specializing in the exceptionally able child is described. The paper focuses on the course's research-based themes, students' reasons for taking the course, students' achievements, and examples of the types of learning experiences developed for exceptionally able children ages 3-15. (JDD)

Describes a national study of extended orientation courses. Finds them equally common at two- and four-year colleges but different in administrative structures and content emphases. Two-year college courses have larger class sizes, shorter durations, and less varied content and are less likely to be required or to introduce an academic discipline.…