Using small-group instructional diagnosis and collaborative conflict resolution to facilitate course changes.

Small-group instructional diagnosis and collaborative conflict resolution are techniques that were successfully employed when course changes aimed at enhancing an undergraduate nursing leadership and management course with cultural diversity perspectives caused conflict among students and faculty. In this article these skills are described in relation to a specific situation; however, they both can have wide application. The small-group process can be conducted at midterm in any course, and conflict resolution techniques are applicable to most conflict situations, whether they occur in classrooms, with colleagues, or out of the workplace. Therefore, this article is intended for all faculty members who seek knowledge of formative classroom assessment techniques or help in managing conflict.

Classroom assessment: linking teaching and learning.

Formative evaluation can provide valuable data when evaluating student learning and the teaching strategies being used. Classroom assessment techniques as developed by Angelo and Cross are a type of formative assessment which involve ongoing assessment of student learning and assist faculty in selecting teaching techniques that are most effective in particular settings with specific groups of students. Classroom assessment techniques with applications to specific nursing education situations are included.

Teaching portfolios for faculty evaluation.

Teaching portfolios are stimulating much discussion as more comprehensive approaches to evaluating teaching are sought. Portfolios can be used effectively for both formative and summative evaluative purposes. The content of a portfolio may vary greatly, but commonly includes material that reflects student learning, evaluative materials, and a personal statement on the faculty's philosophy of education. Professional growth often accompanies developing a personal teaching portfolio.

Collaborative problem solving with a total quality model.

A collaborative problem-solving system committed to the interests of those involved complies with the teachings of the total quality management movement in health care. Deming espoused that any quality system must become an integral part of routine activities. A process that is used consistently in dealing with problems, issues, or conflicts provides a mechanism for accomplishing total quality improvement. The collaborative problem-solving process described here results in quality decision-making. This model incorporates Ishikawa's cause-and-effect (fishbone) diagram, Moore's key causes of conflict, and the steps of the University of North Dakota Conflict Resolution Center's collaborative problem solving model.

The relationship of age, gender, and exercise practices to measures of health, life-style, and self-esteem.

A study of 478 adults from a rural-urban region was conducted to determine differences in health and life-style measures based on age, gender, and exercise involvement that would provide data to incorporate in healthy-living programs. Pender's Health Promotion Model provided the framework for the study. Significant results related to age, gender, exercise, and initiation and maintenance of health-promoting practices were found.