From the
Fall 1997 Edition

Contents

Volume 1, Number 2
Fall 1997

 


Virginia Currency, 1777

Preserving Southwest Virginia’s Folklore
--by Ramond Burgin

Burgin has begun the time-consuming process of preparing an inventory and indexing the vast archival collections gathered by students in American Folklore classes at MECC and by the Southwest Virginia Folklore Society.
Student Evaluations: The Ratings Game
--by John V. Adams

Research reveals widespread misuse of student evaluations. Student evaluations, the author argues, should be used for improvement of instructor’s teaching. Fifteen less-than-accurate variables related to high student evaluations are detailed.

The Decoy Duck
--
by Anna Ryan
The process of transforming English 273-274, Woman Writers I and II, from print-based to distance learning courses was time-consuming, creative, and productive.

Improving Retention with Strategy-Based Instruction
--by Laura Franklin, Margarita Esparza Hodge,and Monica Flynn Sasscer

Seeking to know our students, why they are enrolled in our classes, what their objectives are, and why these are sometimes so hard to attain are issues we must grapple with if we are to guide learners to success.
Reflections on Faculty in Residence
--
by Donna Reiss
A one year VCCS faculty-in-residence in instructional technology provided many opportunities, challenges, and accompolishments.
Strategies for Solving Word Problems in Science
--by George A. Garrigan
The purpose and application of a fundamental strategy for students to use in order to successfully solve word problems encountered in any entry level science course are reviewed.
Researching with Original Sources in Culture Studies
--by Douglas Carter
A professional development grant provided an opportunity to travel to primary research materials unavailable through conventional means and to develop a detailed analysis of selected works by Ray Bradbury. Douglas Carter reports the process he employs for this particular type of scholarship.
Teaching Advanced Research Techniques To CommunityCollege Students: Examining the Eviction of Mountain Residentsfrom the Shenandoah National Park
--
by Suzanne Crane
Students were taught advanced research methods by participating in a professional development project undertaken by two Germanna Community College faculty members. Oral histories and historical documents about the forced eviction of mountain residents from their homes in the Shenandoah National Park area were collected.
Chin P'ing Mei: A Story in Yellow
--by Bettye Walsh
During a five-week travel study seminar in Beijing, Walsh discovers censorship of certain Chinese classics, deemed “yellow” books.
Multimedia Lessons: “If There’s a Hard Way to Do Something . . .”
--by Eric Hibbison
Creating multimedia lessons on computer for a poetry unit in ENG 112 can be complicated. Eric Hibbison’s experience led to some useful suggustions for developing such lessons.
PLACE: A Chance to Turn Work and Life Experiences into Credit
--by Harriet C. White
NOVA’s PLACE (Prior Learning Activity for Credit Evaluation) is described as well as Ms. White’s grant-related activities of revising PLACE’s workbook and teaching material.
Attending the 1996 Virginia Master Teachers Seminar
--by Jean E. Hogan
One way to find creative teaching solutions to age-old problems is to attend the Virginia Master Teachers Seminar.
Developing an Instrument to Measure General Education
--by Kendall Tucker, Eugene Schoch, and Sharon Fisher
This locally-developed instrument provides student biographical data, insight on students’ self-esteem, and a means of measuring students’ knowledge in the eight areas of general education.
Multiskilling and Multidisciplinary Approaches to HealthTechnologies Education: Old Concepts — A New Paradigm
--by Joseph S. DiPietro
The teaching of a number of skills and the reintroduction of traditions of master craftsmanship better prepare students for the workplace.
VIVA Voom: Treasures Along the Research Route
--by Grace Boyce and Diane Carr
The resources available at the Virtual Library of Virginia Web site are reviewed .
The Door Is Open — All You Have to Do Is Walk Through
--by Kay Robinson Robertson
Peer group meetings for VCCS classified employees are promising avenues for professional development in the VCCS, as shown by the very successful peer group “drive-in” conferences held for secretaries to division chairs and academic directors.
Development of Introductory Physics as Distance Learning
--by Sherman Frye
PHY 101-102 have been transformed into distance learning courses by putting the lecture component on video tape and by transforming the laboratory component into “at home” labs.

From the System Office

Achievement, Exploration and Revitalization: Focus on VCCS Research Grant Awards
--by Bernadette M. Black