Describes seven principles for developing a workable system for evaluation of college teaching, and provides both process and decision matrixes for groups interested in building such a system for their own evaluation. Argues that the system must be safe, explicit, manageable, formative, and satisfy environmental demands for accountability and…

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…

This article provides information on designing a college course grading plan. It reviews the history of grades; describes and discusses common approaches to grading; examines the purposes of grades, problems with current practices, and situational factors to consider in selecting an approach; and proposes eight principles to observe in developing…

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)

This article argues for the inclusion of narrative literature in college social science courses, since such literature can enhance students' understanding of scientific content by elucidating theoretical and empirical concepts with concrete examples. Evidence of the effectiveness of autobiographical literature is presented, and suggestions for…

This article explains how to use learning-centered course portfolios to improve teaching and learning in the college classroom. It discusses how such portfolios can be used to document and assess the substance and complexity of teaching; connect assessment of teaching with assessment of learning; and foster better teaching and learning. (MDM)

Describes one college-faculty member's research project based on the experiences of five college students involved in service learning with children's organizations. Students served as participant-observers at an international conference on children's issues and their field reports yielded a solid profile of ideal environments for children…

As higher education seeks to meet the needs of a growing population of adult students, tensions are emerging from the gap that exists between the needs of these students and professors' academic preparation. This article discusses how classroom structure, assignments, and policies in classes for adult learners can be configured to manage these…

Discusses challenges faced in teaching a curriculum based on multicultural theory: the large volume of scholarship on diversity, student resistance to diversity issues, and professor attitudes toward diversity. Presents a technique for meeting these challenges based on modeling appropriate diversity-sensitive behaviors that involves the use of…

Describes the use of poster presentations as an alternative to written assignments for assessing student learning in a family and marital therapy in social work class at Anglia Polytechnic University (England). Reports positive responses by both students and instructors. Includes two poster examples. (DB)