Course objectives were to introduce students to the competencies required to practice pharmacy and to provide patient care. Students completed modules related to expiry dates; telephone reminder and call-back programs; refill histories; angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor use in heart failure; and population health targeted at…

Excellence is often in eye of the beholder, according to Wolf. There are certain criteria that can sought, such as mission statements, adequate resources, teaching methods applied, environment in which learning is encouraged and strong leadership. Competition is important, but collaboration and commitment to community is important as well. (JM)

Development of the pharmaceutical industry in China depends on research and development of new drugs. The development of high-quality education for potential pharmaceutical practitioners is central to the development of this industry in China. (JM)

Surveyed deans of 80 U.S. schools and colleges of pharmacy on programmatic assessment. Forty-nine percent reported having assessment committees, 71 percent have approved a list of general education abilities, and deans were most frequently reported as driving development of assessment. The North American Pharmacy Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) was…

Analyzed databases from four U.S. National Clinical Pharmacy Services Studies and the American Hospital Association for trends in hospital involvement in pharmacy education. Detailed findings indicated that clinical pharmacy services within the nation's teaching hospitals are not standardized and that financial pressures impede a full, consistent…

Surveyed department of pharmacy chairs at 77 schools of pharmacy about current use of cumulative exams. Found that more than 80 percent do not administer cumulative exams and that the primary rationale for such exams is to encourage students to review material prior to advancement; they are rarely used to determine advancement. (EV)

Presents a legal analysis of the application of copyright law to distance education environments, particularly as it applies to Web-based instruction and the construction of electronic reserves, or virtual libraries. Explores the dangers of moving toward a schema of universal or compulsory licensing of information. Suggests several possible…

Examines the nature of interaction in an online course from both teacher and student perspectives. Findings suggest that the structure of the course, class size, feedback, and prior experience with computer-mediated communication all influenced interaction. Results emphasize the importance of socially constructed meanings from participants'…

Examines the influence of a student's visual access to the instructor during Internet-based audiographics training. A course was taught through lecture and slides over the Internet to students at seven remote sites and the availability of instructor video was manipulated. Results showed that increasing the video capability of an Internet-based…

Proposes a schema system based on media-attribute theory that can be used to classify both media and delivery systems based on research related to learning and motivation in distance education. Comparative studies must explain why and how the media and delivery systems were used to support learning and motivation. Contains 34 references.…

Discusses limitations of "Comparing Distance Learning and Classroom Learning: Conceptual Considerations," Smith and Dillon's physical science view of educational technology. Suggests that a systems approach is necessary to describe distance education and define a set of principles and rules for its effective use, as well as a set of criteria to…

Contends that comparison studies offer one important view from which to frame questions about the study of distance education. Responds to Farhad Saba's ("Toward a Systems Theory of Distance Education") major premises about distance-education research. (AEF)

Using software and a coding system developed by the author, the text of all spoken and written discourse was analyzed from four face-to-face (FTF) courses and two courses taught via computer-mediated communication (CMC). Results indicated that interaction patterns in the CMC courses resembled discussion, whereas patterns in the FTF courses…

In contrast to the big industrial mode of distance education, an approach to distance education called "little distance education," is described that is consistent with the traditional goals and values of creating knowledge through a critical community of learners. Discusses meeting the needs of a new market for continuing distance professional…

This case study follows an instructor and her students (33 elementary teachers) as they experience for the first time a graduate-level science course delivered via compressed-video technology. The focus is on teacher learning and coping strategies. Data were gathered from videotaped records of classes, informal interviews with students and site…