Examines use of collaborative college faculty peer review for instructional improvement. Establishes rationales for formative evaluation of teaching, peer review in instructional improvement, and comprehensive faculty evaluation that includes peer review. Examines roles faculty might play in assessing colleagues' teaching; describes five methods…

Proposes a broader concept of college faculty peer evaluation, in which perspectives of teacher, learner, and observer are considered. Argues that three basic principles (intention/interpretation, advisement/appraisement, acceptability/accessibility) must necessarily and minimally guide peer evaluation. Presents a four-part, multidimensional peer…

Describes the peer observation program developed by faculty at California State University, Dominguez Hills, its structure and adaptations, outcomes, and recommendations for development of formative peer observation programs. The program helps reduce faculty professional isolation by providing an informal structure for discussion of teaching and…

Describes an active learning strategy used in a college ethics course to direct students into exploring multiple perspectives in case studies. The technique expands on collaborative learning methods by adding role-playing and reflective writing. The technique has been successful in a journalism ethics course and is adaptable to any field in which…

Outlines the importance of teaching the methods of science. Describes ways in which teachers can incorporate lessons about scientific methodology into any existing introductory science course. (JRH)

Outlines the different alternative assessment strategies used by different biology instructors at Florida State University, each teaching a section of a new biology course for prospective elementary and early childhood teachers. Provides suggestions for similar relatively small classes as well as for large college classes. (JRH)

Describes a classroom exercise that uses a letter from Max Delbruck to George Beadle to stimulate interest in the mechanics of a nonoverlapping comma-free code. Enables students to participate in the rich history of molecular biology and illustrates to them that scientists and science can be fun. (JRH)

Describes an honors general physics course designed to demonstrate to students that physics is vital to their understanding of physiology, medicine, the human body, rehabilitation, and other health fields. Presents evidence that indicates that active group learning and connections to real-world applications help students learn physics and apply…

Describes the "Disease of the Week" report, an approach designed to integrate writing into a large freshman introductory biology class. Enables students to develop scientific writing skills and gain an appreciation of the role of scientific concepts in their lives. (JRH)

Describes the Multidisciplinary Studies program at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth that provides advanced coursework in the sciences without requiring that a student major in a specific science. Focuses on the fields of environmental science, cognitive science, gerontology, and environmental psychology. (JRH)

Presents a case study of an unsafe situation in a science laboratory and its administrative consequences. Discusses issues related to laboratory safety and faculty evaluation. (JRH)

Presents the use of paradoxes as a strategy that enables students to develop their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. Involves confronting the students with two very plausible ideas that they would normally accept uncritically, and then showing that the two ideas are apparently not compatible with each other. Discusses paradoxes in…

Describes the mission and goals of the Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) and its collaboration with Edison Community College (ECC). Topics discussed include information acquisition, integration of curriculum, undergraduate research, and assessment. (JRH)

Discusses the need for the integration of scientific research and science education, graduate education in astronomy, the current status of federally funded research and education, and the impact of budget cuts on scientific research and education. (JRH)

Discusses the use of science history and etymology in science instruction in order to maintain students' interest. Presents a specific example of the historical background of pharmacology. (JRH)