A study evaluated use of Conceptests in a large pharmacy lecture course. Multiple-choice questions test students' ability to apply a concept presented in lecture to a situation not yet encountered. Students are presented with two or three Conceptests during each lecture, and must reevaluate responses after 15 minutes of additional lecture.…

A University of Utah first-professional-year pharmacy course on the social and behavioral aspects of the United States health care system was modified to include opportunities for students to enter service-learning relationships with homebound senior citizens who were clients of three nonprofit agencies. Assignments, evaluation methods, and a…

A survey of 72 pharmacy schools investigated methods of evaluating teaching, including use of student evaluations for both undergraduate and clinical teaching, peer evaluation, evaluation instruments, and use of the information for tenure/promotion decisions, faculty development activities, and determination of merit salary increases. Results are…

Survey of 50 pharmacy schools investigated the degree to which instruction in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) was included in the pharmacy curriculum, and use of alternative practitioners as instructors. Almost three-quarters offered coursework in herbal medicine or other areas of CAM; about half offered other alternative medicine…

Relates literature on leadership to specific distance-education settings, including international settings, and presents cases in higher education that reflect relevant leadership issues and dimensions of leadership. Topics include theory- and practice-based applications, and networking and collaboration as leadership strategies. (Author/LRW)

Discusses the role of regional accreditation associations in assuring quality control in distance education for higher education and considers changes due to emerging new technologies. Highlights include standards for traditional regional accreditation, the process of regional accreditation, and accommodations for distance-education programming.…

Discusses the lack of leadership among various organizations concerned with correspondence study as a means of distance education for higher education. Topics include professionalism and leadership roles of the National University Continuing Education Association and the University Continuing Education Association. (LRW)

Highlights the work of early leaders in the field of distance education based on an analysis of conference proceedings of the International Council for Distance Education (ICDE). Topics include a historical background of the ICDE conferences and visions of the future. (LRW)

Reviews a number of strategic plans and the goals and objectives normally assigned to distance education, and distinguishes the terms used in strategic thinking about distance education. Examines assumptions about adopting distance delivery of education and training by looking at distance education not as an objective, but as a strategy.…

Describes an Internet-based, interactive, learner-centered, asynchronous instructional module for pharmacokinetics that requires minimal computer knowledge to operate. Main components are concept presentation, a simulation exercise, and self-assessment questions. The module has been found effective in teaching the steady state concept at the…

Compares exam scores in a pharmacy calculations course of 55 students in a traditional lecture format and 55 in computer-assisted instruction (CAI). Scores were similar before separation into groups and after six weeks of instruction by either method. The CAI program was easy to use and well received by students, and this group spent less time…

Two approaches to student-based evaluations were examined for their potential application to distance education: a quantitative measure of interaction, and a qualitative, formative evaluation approach--Small Group Instructional Diagnosis (SGID)--in which a facilitator gathers data about instruction from students. Assesses aspects of the…

Examines the beliefs of certified public accountants (CPAs) in the state of Georgia concerning the effectiveness of distance education in providing continuing professional education (CPE). Findings indicate that the CPAs believe distance education to be an effective mode of learning, and that necessary technological capabilities are available to…

Examines current academic-advising practices of distance-education programs, analyzing: advisor/student communication, delivery systems, support or reference materials, required occasions for academic advising, group advising, and evaluation. Frequently reported advising practices included communicating by telephone, using faculty advisors, and…

A national survey of graduate-program chairs (n=28) and graduate students (n=131) in social and administrative sciences gathered information on research-methods courses and other curricular data, including core/required courses; subject area emphasis; where and how students gain knowledge in specific areas; importance of level of preparation in…