Examines how information processing theory provided a way to retrieve and structure an individual's 25 years of practical public school administration experience. Describes the resulting framework of "knowledge boxes" including: declarative knowledge, procedural knowledge, conditional knowledge, and enabling knowledge. Organization of…

Discusses how spreadsheet software can be used at the college level to teach mathematical algorithms that rely on iterative procedures. Describes an application in an Australian college class for second-year mathematics students including curriculum, structure, and projects. Argues that this approach can reverse declining interest in mathematics,…

Good college teachers are masters of their subjects; are organized, prepared, and clear; demonstrate that they know and care about their students as individuals; display listening skills; create a positive environment for learning; and relate abstract ideas to the realities of everyday life. (JB)

Argues that a growing realization and acceptance of the complexities of college teaching is behind many current trends in the field and suggests that college teaching's complexities lie in changes in the communication process including the population, paths, levels, methods, and assessment in teaching and learning. (JB)

A college professor and his undergraduate student daughter discuss student motivation, relate this to the daughter's desire to own a horse, and discuss six concepts for motivation: giving students choices, placing material in context, arousing curiosity, being enthusiastic, giving students a sense of control, and knowing students personally. (JB)

Reports a survey of students' satisfaction in a cooperative learning college-level introductory biology course offered, with changes, over 3 years. The survey found that cognitive diversity increases group conflict and concluded that there can be no "perfect course" due to the diversity of cognitive styles found in any class. Using a variety of…

The theory behind the concept of the teacher as a model is surveyed and illustrated with actual events and techniques from college classrooms, including taking advantage of classroom mistakes to model thinking and problem-solving skills. Student evaluation results indicate that instructor credibility is unaffected by the use of these techniques.…

An experimental colloquium course at the University of Delaware focuses on ways students read and respond to texts. Using nontraditional activities including image making and symbolic expression, the course discourages passive learning as it explores literature and its effect on the reader's inner world. (JB)

Professionals in training may use the tension between classroom-based learning and practica or field experiences if journal narratives are used to: (1) provide a basis for professional conversations between learner and instructor; (2) conceptualize that relationship as between a mentor and advisee; (3) articulate the relationship between theory…

This article considers why journal assignments are desirable in a variety of college courses and offers a definition of empowerment, three components of a model journal entry, and criteria for journal assignments. Also described are applications of journal writing in English, management, study skills, and communication. (JB)

Describes the results of a national survey exploring the uses and integration of volunteer/community service experience in professional education, focusing on social work as an example. Discusses curriculum integration techniques and recommendations for the structure of volunteer/community service experiences. (JB)

Examines the frequency and length of students' meetings with advisers, as well as student evaluations of advisers' credibility and empathy, based on adviser sex, student sex, class year, and major. Adviser sex, class year, and major exerted strong influence on student perceptions of communication with their advisers. (JB)

Argues that grounded theory, an explicit approach to the analysis of qualitative data, is ideal for applied settings and can be adapted to the limited, sporadic opportunities available to faculty and faculty developers who focus on classroom interaction and social relations. Introduces key features and techniques of this approach. (JB)

Describes "Celebrating the Teacher Scholar" theme year at San Diego State University (California) and the year's special features including: a campus consultation, a communications and network model, selected department and university-wide activities, a teacher scholar resource fair, and how priorities for the year were determined and what…

This article shows how cooperative learning teams in an introductory college psychology course can be taught to analyze case studies. By using alternative conceptual frameworks to analyze these cases, students are encouraged to think more critically about all the theories presented in the course. (MDM)