This qualitative case study evaluates the impact of international study experiences on college students. Three international study tours originating from a Mid-west state university are the focus of the study. Despite differing leadership styles, teaching and tour formats, academic orientations, and destinations, the outcome reveals that such…

Student motivation for achievement is a particular concern in college teaching. The desire for students to learn for the sake of learning is strong, yet this often leads to "dumbing down" the curriculum. In this article, I present a case analysis of motivational dimensions of instructional practice in college classrooms using a social cognitive…

Describes the adaptation for distance learning of an MBA organizational behavior course. Explains that the most effective strategy involved conducting group exercises and role plays synchronously in the chat room. A student survey indicated that online students developed skills comparable to face-to-face students. (EV)

Presents the idea that learning through active resistance makes the information that students discover more valuable to them. Provides examples from classroom experiences. (EV)

Presents a range of techniques that faculty can use to help prevent the development of negative emotions and conflict in their classes. Recommendations include communicating warmth and sensitivity toward students by remaining enthusiastic and available, establishing a shared course framework by determining course objectives and seeking students'…

Sought to describe the growth of 94 nursing students' critical thinking through service-learning experiences. Results revealed two major themes: development of both professional and community perspectives. (EV)

Discusses common methods of forming student groups for group work, suggesting that many are ineffective, then describes a student self-assessment method used to group students according to their skills. Asserts that the method, used for 2 years in both sophomore- and senior-level courses, has been proven to prevent intragroup skill imbalances. (EV)

Describes the potential problems and benefits of departmental-level mentoring programs to improve faculty teaching, then describes the Program for the Enhancement of Teaching at DePaul University, including its specific activities such as lunches and seminars. (EV)

Examined the relationship between students' composition scores and the writers' and raters' perceptions of a given topic: does a student receive a higher score if the rater agrees with the student's thesis? Findings indicated that there are other factors, such as students' attitude and cognitive ability that may affect raters' judgments of student…

Shaping classroom experiences before controversial material is encountered in a class increases the likelihood that students will maintain higher mental function while examining that material. Presents 10 strategies for planning a course that facilitates quality discussion and thoughtful debate. (SLD)

Describes an interdisciplinary approach that integrates the strengths of a research and teaching institution to address issues in a complex problem: the study of race, science, and health. The model involved a feedback loop among two undergraduate courses and a weekly seminar. (SLD)

Discusses common controversial issues in different college disciplines, such as the death penalty and drug legalization. Also suggests useful methods for encouraging enlightening discussions, such as verbal and physical cues, student-centered activities, and text selection. (SLD)

Describes an interdisciplinary mentoring program for graduate teaching assistance, the Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) program. Outlines the vision and structure of the program and highlights its many benefits, which include the development of personal and professional relationships. (SLD)

An experienced faculty member and a relatively new one describe a semester spent in a mentoring partnership in which each taught a section of the same course. They reflect on the lessons the experience might hold for other mentor-mentee pairs. (SLD)

Reflecting on experience in the Center for Teaching and Curriculum at Emory University, identifies six principles or problems the current concern with teaching seems to embody at the higher education level. (SLD)