Argues that while reflective practice is a useful and emerging component in professional education, there are misconceptions about the nature of reflection and inappropriate applications. A discussion of reflective practice looks at the effective use of reflective activities and proposes that reflection needs to be flexible, is highly…

A discussion of college students' learning motivation looks at how theory concerning work attitudes and motivation may apply to student learning, and how assessment can enhance learning. Strategies are offered for faculty to use in increasing the kind of learning motivation they traditionally favor, but an argument is also made for allowing…

The development, evaluation and underlying rationale of a two-day course on explaining and lecturing is described. It is argued that since lecturing is the major method of teaching in universities it is important to help lecturers improve their technique and make them aware of their strengths and weaknesses. (Author/MLW)

In an open university History of Science course a unit was written to provide basic information on quantum theory for students with arts and social science background in order to enable these students to handle the Bohr-Einstein debate. An evaluation of the unit showed that it achieved its purpose. (Author/MLW)

A new medical curriculum at the University of Newcastle, New South Wales, is described. Student knowledge, understanding, and skills are developed through the study of a sequence of clinical problems integrated with appropriate practical and clinical activities. Such an innovative curriculum implies different roles for academic staff. (Author/MLW)

A major undergraduate problem-solving exercise is described concerning a problem of foreign policy formation. The teaching strategy is outlined and important issues in the process are identified and discussed. Guidelines for improving the strategy and an outline plan for introductory sequences prior to the exercise are included. (Author/MLW)

Educational and psychological functions of the supervisor of undergraduate dissertations are identified. Special problems of supervisors are discussed together with the difficulties commonly experienced by students. Ways problems may be minimized and the desirability of supervisors acting within an agreed set of departmental aims, objectives, and…

It is argued that there is an urgent need to teach college students to recognize and think critically about moral issues. The existential dimension of this education is examined, and two methods of teaching values are discussed: systematic use of small group discussion, and use of fictional films and literature. (MSE)

An instructional approach used in a civil engineering curriculum at Queens University of Belfast (Northern Ireland) incorporates development of communication skills into active learning assignments. A "learning from disasters" exercise and two mock public inquiries illustrate the use and benefits of the technique. (Author/MSE)