Education & Pedagogy

Student borrowing for higher education has increased dramatically, and some students begin their adult lives with considerable debt. Financial burden measures should be incorporated into student loan repayment requirements and used to adjust either monthly or annual repayments or the period of repayment. Reducing debt burden would help make college education more equitable and accessible. (MSE)

Americans rate improving schools as a higher priority than lowering crime or improving the economy, but neither Republicans nor Democrats have strong proposals. Most of the money needed to improve the situation is already in place via federal Title I education funds. Title I could be turned into a voucher program, making it a federal education program consistent with conservative principles. (SM)

Examines how well the International Baccalaureate (IB) achieves its aims of inculcating international attitudes while maintaining students' cultural identities. Finds that international attitudes may be more affected by the social environment of IB programs than by the curriculum; success at cultural maintenance varies by culture, with Western cultures being better supported. (DSK)

Discusses the steps taken by Bay Mills (Michigan) and Salish Kootenai (Montana) Colleges in developing online educational opportunities for tribal virtual colleges. Defines the asynchronous/synchronous learning environment that underpins the new approaches to distance education. Asserts that the tribal virtual college's uniqueness lies in defining education in terms of traditional storytelling, where context is more important than content. Contains 10 references. (VWC)

Argues that all stakeholders in education should be consulted regarding the purpose, goals, accomplishments, and behaviors to be influenced by education, and that specific content should be accomplishment-based. Five figures illustrate: (1) the behavior/accomplishment relationship, (2) synthesis of desired K-12 accomplishments, (3) examples of relevant K-12 behaviors; (4) frequent parental responses; and (5) frequent employer responses. (AEF)

When physicians ascribe errors to systemic causes, they may be less likely to modify future behaviors and more likely to repeat past errors. Academic medical centers should balance protecting patients from errors that a systems approach can identify against providing optimal education for house officers by teaching them to focus also on personal reasons for errors. (Author/MSE)

To enhance the information technology literacy of optometry students, the Southern College of Optometry (Tennessee) developed an academic assignment, the Electronic Media Paper, in which second-year students must search two different electronic media for information. Results suggest Internet use for searching may be a useful tool for specific academic assignments and for searching for other optometric information. (Author/MSE)

Describes an Alverno College (Wisconsin) first-semester general education course in studio arts that attempts to use the creative arts to develop skills in communicating, analyzing, inferring values, and formulating responses to works of art; to use varied teaching strategies to meet the needs of first-semester students; and to tailor these strategies to the various art disciplines. (MSE)

This study explored physical education teacher educators' (PETE) demographic characteristics and teaching and nonteaching responsibilities. Surveys of faculty nationwide indicated that respondents reflected white, middle class America. Most began with PE or sports studies degrees. Most had taught K-12 PE and had stable PETE careers and were teaching various courses in addition to diverse nonteaching activities. (SM)

Reports on preliminary findings from a study of preservice elementary teachers who had a field experience in social studies education during their enrollment in an elementary social studies methods course. The eight-item questionnaire documented student teachers' reactions to the experience as well as providing additional quantitative data. (MJP)

Defines character education as the intentional teaching of ethical reasoning and analysis, the nurturing of moral emotions, and the encouragement of, and insistence upon, moral behavior. Maintains that schools, parents, and communities are all responsible for the moral development of children. Briefly discusses the work of the Ethics Resource Center. (MJP)

Presents a communitarian rationale for character education. Communitarians believe that individual liberties depend upon bolstering the foundations of civil society: families, schools, and neighborhoods. Lists four core areas of focus: character education in the schools, building and rebuilding communities, policies to strengthen the family, and fostering diversity. (MJP)

Offers some examples of integrating character education into curriculum and instruction through service learning and provides a rationale for incorporating service learning throughout the grades. Briefly summarizes educational research supporting service learning and identifies five critical elements of service learning projects. Provides a list of resources, addresses, and contact numbers. (MJP)

Examines the long-time commitment and involvement of a university and a local chapter of Phi Delta Kappa to encourage and recognize character education in local schools. Describes a public awards ceremony and includes the criteria for the values and character recognition award. Provides a list of the winning schools. (MJP)

Reflects on the leadership role of a County Office Superintendent in bringing character education to students countywide. Reiterates the importance of systematic training, collaborative involvement with the community, and student recognition for program success. Includes information about the Character Counts! Program and addresses for receiving more information. (MJP)