Six step approach systematically guides the process of problem identification,needs assessment, writing goals and objectives, educational strategies, implementation process, and getting worthwhile evaluation and feedback. Based upon Johns Hopkins Internal Medicine model but substantial utility for all medical disciplines. I will use it in redesigning curriculum at my institution. Highly recommended!

Paul Evans DO, Associate Dean for Curricular Affairs, Oklahoma State University COM

Have you ever been graded by a college professor? Are you a college professor? If the answer to either question is yes, you should read this book.

It details the results of a national survey on student's, professor's, parent's and business recruiter's attitudes about grades. Among the results, college faculty think that the difference between a "C" student and an "A" student is apparent in what that person knows and can do for 2-5 years or more. Other people thought it was much less.

The authors describe how grades depend on the context. Everyone seems to know this except the people who assign grades. You have probably experienced classes where you were thankful to get a C and other classes where an A was of no consequence. Unfortunately, reliance on GPA to sum up a person's college education does not take into account this context effect.

Another focus of the book is the discussion of the differences between learning oriented students and grade oriented students. The authors conclude that grade oriented students are using grades as a benchmark of their own value and performance. See how the structure and organization of a classroom can promote grade orientation or learning orientation.

Find out which college pollicies promote grade inflation and how grade inflation is a non-issue to everyone but college faculty.

In the end, the authors make 2 provocative proposals that would produce a wonderful transformation in the college experience of everyone and promote learning in college classrooms.

Overall, it was very good especially if you can get your spouse to read it with you and actually try the suggestions given. Now if only one of you are reading the book it also works in a viewpoint that you'll understand where you stand and how he/she may be reacting to the discussion, disagreement or whatever. For example, you'll notice that when one of you walks away or stays quiet while the other is trying to solve the problem then instead of thinking he/she isn't paying attention you may say to yourself he/she is now withdrawing so let me put this off until we are both open to listening and discussing the situation. Many points in the book were very helpful in making sense of how men and women view things in a different light of importance. The book is not only good for couples but for singles as well, Marriage is a TEAM that works best when you can communicate and learn that you go from I, ME to US and WE. I recommend it - great insights even better if you can convice the other to join you in reading it together.

My husband and I married in our mid thirties thinking we had a lock on good communication skills and knowing we were mature enough to really make this marriage work. Nonetheless, it wasn't long before we were "mired in muck". When a small conflict arose, we found ourselves so caught up in being right and fighting our point to the death that small events escalated into huge issues. We could feel the good things in our relationship slipping away and felt helpless to fix the problem. (This was AFTER reading probably 20 different books on marriage, doing the Barbara D'Angelis program, the Gary Smally Program, attending several couples workshops, etc.). Contemplating calling it quits on our marriage, I happened accross this book, loved it, then went to a PREP workshop. Our marriage is AWESOME. We actually know how to hear and be heard and have the skills to RESOLVE the conflicts. (By the way, note the "I". My spouse hasn't read the book and refused to go to the workshop.) I learned the skills and used them in our marriage and our relationship changed. It even works with kids, in-laws, co-workers.... Yippee!

This book should be required reading for all couples getting married. If only I had read this book first, I could have avoided a lot of the bumps along the marital journey and saved myself and my spouse a lot of grief. Based on sound research and full of excerpts from real couples' lives, this book is now my favorite gift to newlyweds. It gives you great comfort to know that the arguments you and your spouse have occur in all marriages at different times. I highly recommend this to anyone who is looking at making their marriage last for the long haul!