Electrical engineering graduate studies: Program of the California Institute of Technology

The California Institute of Technology has been indicated as a leader in the field of graduate work in electrical engineering, and thus a consideration of its pattern for such studies should be of profit. Some phases of the institute's program are presented, not because they are considered wholly unique, but because they are of considerable merit and did help to pioneer the way to a high standard of graduate work

The influence of towers and conductor sag on transmission-line shielding

This paper is the third of a sequence of papers intended to present data which may be used in determining the degree of protection from lightning obtainable by shielding transmission lines and structures with grounded overhead wires and masts. The first two papers of the sequence are: “Shielding of Transmission Lines,” and “Shielding of Substations.

Vacuum switching experiments at California Institute of Technology

Successful experiments in switching or breaking a circuit in a high vacuum have been made at the California Institute of Technology. This paper is a report on three sets of these experiments which extended over a period of three years. The conclusions drawn from the experiments may be summed up in the statement that vacuum breakers of laboratory type have been successful in breaking circuits and offer a possible solution of the circuit-breaker problem. The results show that switching in vacuum affords the advantages of no pitting of contacts, quick break, the arc always going out on the first half cycle, small voltage rise across the switch, and small distance of travel necessary for the switch blades. Making the vacuum switch practical calls for a solution of the problem of making commercial apparatus with vacuum-tight joints, and the elimination of the use of liquid air with the vacuum pump

My Native Grounds

In 1957, near the end of his life, Royal France, a Rollins College economics professor for over twenty years, published My Native Grounds, a memoir that chronicles his life of service and commitment in the first half of the twentieth century. His story, which provides insights and perspectives on American life during the first half of the twentieth century that only an active participant could furnish, will appeal to scholars of both Florida and national histories, particularly those interested in American civil liberties history. This exceptionally well written, readable memoir will appeal as well to the general reader who has an interest in early twentieth century American life

Letters between Royal A. Abbott and W. J. Kerr

Letters concerning a position in the English department at Utah Agricultural College

Alternatives for a better program

Teaching teachers is not equal to telling teachers

An Investigation Of 'Honesty Check' Items In Higher Education Course Evaluations

The reliability and validity of course evaluations in higher education is often assumed. The typical Likert-type surveys utilized when students' evaluate the course and instructor often overlook measurement issues, or deal with them in an ineffective manner. Given the importance that is placed on higher education course evaluations, with results impacting such events as merit raises and promotion, the proper construction and use of evaluation tools is a critical issue. In an effort to assure 'honesty' in student responses, many institutions include items written positively and negatively, which are intended to measure the same construct. Using 537 course evaluations for a mathematics faculty member at a Midwest college, an item analysis is conducted with attention given to means and standard deviations, frequency counts, nonparametric correlations and tests of significant differences between questions that should, in theory, produce a similar measure or exactly opposite. A contention is made that the way the item is asked does matter, at least in some instances, and it should not be assumed that an item written in the positive and negative should directly correlate. The survey research community and institutions utilizing similar rating scale instruments will benefit from the results of this study, as well as the education community in general

Information Flow and Staff Contact: A Quick Evaluation of Financial Aid

The authors examine the relationship between financial aid staff and students and attempt to analyze how the experience at one institution might provide some insight. The problem is viewed from the client perspective based upon day to day contact with various services provided to students by the financial aid office