Assessment of Cooperative Learning: A Goal-Criterion Approach

The problem of assessment of non-traditional teaching techniques has long challenged educational administrators and faculty. The approach to assessment that we followed in this instance employed a model that we developed to assess group learning, variously known as cooperative learning, collaborative learning, or team learning. We applied the model to group-based case study courses that included innovative enhancements such as group exams and group-based role-play. The model required balanced representation among multiple learning criteria arranged in six goal-criterion sets, all drawn from the literature on group learning. We designed a test instrument based on the model and administered the instrument to 85 students near the end of three business strategy courses. Imbalances among criteria in the six goal-criterion sets helped identify and correct weaknesses in course design and in methods of instruction.     

Enhancing Bibliographic Records with Tables of Contents Derived from OCR Technologies at the American Museum of Natural History Library

ABSTRACT

This paper reports on a project undertaken at the American Museum of Natural History Library in 1997 and intended to enhance access to materials in the library's collection by using scanning and OCR software to digitize and add monograph tables of contents to the OPAC bibliographic records. Initially, conference proceedings already in the collection were used, but, as the project developed, other types of materials were also used. The rationale for the project is explained, the procedure developed is described, and the lessons learned from using this particular technology are outlined.     

The Relationship of Metadata to Item Circulation

This study analyzes the relationship between online public access catalog (OPAC) searches entered in a small academic library's catalog and the circulation of items during the same time period. Rather than identifying all searches resulting in a reasonable number of retrievals as successful, searches in this study were determined most useful if items on the results list were subsequently borrowed from the library. This comparison of search results with subsequent material checkouts indicates which metadata elements seem most useful to searchers, and suggests ways libraries might use this knowledge to enhance their users’ search experiences.     

Developing Study Guides for Middle School Learners

Study guides are a popular tool teachers provide to help students prepare for an upcoming test or quiz. They are especially appropriate for middle school students as they transition from reading narrative to informational text. However, some teachers are unfamiliar with various types of study guides. Therefore, this article describes various types of study guides middle school teachers can develop to support student learning.     

基因增强的伦理问题及其价值抉择

通过高新技术改变人体原有的基本性状的基因增强技术已经成为了当今社会伦理争议的主要焦点之一。随着基因改良技术的流行,人们对于不是基于疾病治疗而是为了达成追求人类的欲望而利用基因增强技术干预人类的基因序列,存在着各种意见的分歧与质疑,当然也就不可能在短时间内达成统一的意见。对于基因增强技术的实践运用还需要进行严谨的科学验证与全面的伦理剖析,需要制定相应的策略,从而既不会影响医学事业的进一步深入发展,也不会伤害人类的需求与阻碍社会的进步。     

Listening to Customers: How EBSCO Plans Enhancements and Product Acquisitions Based on Customer Feedback

The importance of customer feedback and the value that it adds to product development and enhancements cannot be overstated. Customer feedback also plays a key role in the development of online resources. But how do you merge customer feedback and the development of new proposals for product design? The balance between customer feedback and strategic direction is something EBSCO strives for in every build of new product enhancements. Many of the company's most important products and interface enhancements can trace their origins back (at least in part) to customer feedback or customer‐based advisory boards. By keeping an open channel of communication between customers and developers, EBSCO has positioned itself as a global leader in matching ongoing product development to current customer need. In doing so, the company has also laid the foundation for ascertaining and responding to the future needs of customers.