A study investigated 147 5th-year pharmacy students' perceptions of professional roles and attitudes toward other health care workers before and after clinical experiences. Changes were found after internship/clerkship completion, particularly in more positive attitudes toward physicians and toward sharing of professional responsibility. An…

Three approaches to setting the evaluation standards for testing pharmacy practice knowledge of pharmaceutical students are discussed and compared: relative standards; absolute standards; and a compromise approach using various sources of evaluation information. The application of the different approaches to a 120-item assessment previously…

A study investigated use of upper-level undergraduate pharmacy students, rather than graduate students, as mentors/teaching assistants in a pharmacy ethics course. Course participants felt the student mentors facilitated their successful completion of the course, and that carefully selected, trained, and supported upper-level undergraduate student…

An undergraduate pharmacy class in drug therapy was taught using a problem-solving approach and standardized case studies, with teacher feedback provided on case presentations using specific performance criteria. It was found that the teaching approach was successful in develop students' ability to apply pharmacotherapeutics in creation of patient…

Presents five tips for successful planning and implementation of distance education programs in organizations: (1) obtain support from top management; (2) focus on specific projects; (3) take time and resources to plan thoroughly and design well; (4) select media tools according to program needs; and (5) select, train, monitor, and reward…

Qualitative research methodology was used to explore the perceptions of students and teachers participating in an interactive collaborative satellite-based mathematics course in 21 high schools. Results showed that the distance learning format gives teachers access to more resources, is useful for underachieving students, and is an effective way…

Sixteen external-degree adult students were interviewed during their first year of study to examine the nature of academic self-concept in distance education. It was determined that academic self-concept was related to both the process and the content of learning and that modifications in educational practices can potentially enhance learners'…

Twelve full-time production specialists employed at universities were studied to determine the role they play in the development of live, interactive, video-based distance education programs. Data collection consisted of qualitative methods: interviews, observation, and concept maps. Findings show that television production specialists fill…

Describes the development of a distance education program at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) which will meet several needs: lifelong learning; adult education; service to remote populations; and continuing education for faculty in remote campuses. Provision of large-scale education depends on addressing issues dealing with…

A University of Toronto effort to develop an accurate measure of affective characteristics in pharmacy school applicants to replace the interview resulted in development of a self-assessment instrument. It was found that a combination of overall grade point average, pharmacy college entrance examination verbal and reading scores, problem-solving…

A conceptual framework for developing pharmacy curricula to provide students with introductory practice experiences (IPEs) is outlined, including the rationale, educational objectives and outcomes, and desired characteristics of these experiences. Pharmacy literature concerning early practice experiences is also reviewed. Models and desired…

A survey of 84 pharmacy schools showed most not in compliance with 1975 American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy resolutions concerning curriculum for radiopharmaceuticals and radiopharmacy practice. Results suggest content is generally presented as part of a core course, separate required course, or elective. However, 31% of schools offer no…

A study investigating the effects of a two-week early clinical experience for fifth-year pharmacy students on concurrent didactic and subsequent clerkship performance found no significant effects. However, student and faculty course evaluations indicated early exposure to clinical experience was viewed as beneficial. Results will be used in…

Pharmacy education at the University of Zimbabwe is somewhat like that in the United States; communication skill development and the pharmacist's role as drug expert are emphasized. Compounding is a major focus of study because bulk compounding is more economical for a developing country. The university's curriculum emphasizes rural practice, and…

Examines how emerging technologies may reshape both face-to-face and distance education. Delineates a three-part conceptual framework (knowledge webs, virtual communities, and shared synthetic environments) for understanding the new types of instructional messages that enable distributed learning. (Author/AEF)