Education & Pedagogy

Public schools must give all students the arts-literacy advantage by developing their skills in communication, culture, cognition, and creativity. Afterschool programs and private lessons are insufficient. A national study finds that a district's provision of arts education is strongly influenced by community support, insistence, and participation. (MLH)

Provides insights into findings from the author's distance-learning courses at the University of South Florida, Lakeland Campus. Discusses sites and studio synergism; planning and preparation of materials; interactive instruction; preventing production problems; and promoting positive learning experiences. (AEF)

Article details issues of the character education movement and provides a theoretical perspective to understand its development. It offers recommendations in how to restore a balance in education by focusing on character through child development theories. (Author/JDM)

Explains that external examiners who assess nursing education programs are common in Britain and British-influenced nations. Describes criteria for appointment, role and functions, and stages of the process. States that, although trends indicate declining use of examiners, the process can enrich both examiner and institution. (SK)

Corporations are now partnering with universities to offer their employees a wider variety of programs and courses through distance education. Three models for corporate-college partnerships are as follows: (1) the classic approach (tuition reimbursement); (2) portal approach (courses available online); and (3) training approach (course tailored to company's needs). (JOW)

Compares the records of presidential candidates George W. Bush and Al Gore on higher education issues and, specifically, those of interest to the Black community. Concludes that Al Gore's record makes him an overall better choice in the 2000 campaign. (DB)

Idaho has improved its historically poor career and technical education programs by changing priorities and increasing state support. A large grant from the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation is being used to develop professional-technical academies and to train career and technical teachers. (JOW)

Technology education can and should play a role in the development of ideas through problem solving to assist teachers of students with disabilities. Technology teachers can adapt the Engineering for Success model in working with these students. (JOW)

Reviews science education research into representations constructed by students in their interactions with the world, its phenomena, and artefacts. Features discussions of mental models, conceptual models, and the activity of modeling. (Contains 30 references.) (Author/WRM)

Although the federal government agreed to provide 40 percent of funding for the 1975 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Amendments, Congress has never appropriated that amount. This failure has forced cutbacks in other programs, particularly education reforms, despite the public's demand for improvements in regular education. (MLH)

Presents an interview with George Nelson, former astronaut and director of Project 2061 at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Nelson discusses his interest in science and math education, and future challenges for educators. (WRM)

Describes a benchmarking project developed at Queensland University of Technology (Australia) to compare the design and delivery of the Graduate Certificate in Education (Higher Education) against national and international institutions. Discusses use of the benchmarking process for quality improvement. (LRW)

Summarizes recommendations of a subcommittee of the American Geriatrics Society's Education Committee concerning core competencies for physicians caring for older patients. Competencies are organized into those concerned with attitudes, knowledge (basic science and clinical), and skills. (DB)

Reviews research on constructivism in learning and selection of learning strategies. Suggests linking constructivism with instructional technologies for continuing medical education in order to "disrupt" reactive, habitual ways of learning and encourage active engagement. (SK)

Describes the adult and higher education system in France in terms of institutional boundaries, increased proportion of adults in universities, and the chaotic system of qualifications. Examines procedures for articulation and transfer between the various components of the educational system. (SK)