Education & Pedagogy

This article examines definitions of "highly qualified" teachers posed by the federal government, the American public, the professionalization agenda in teacher education, and the deregulation movement in teacher education. It focuses on one university's definition in practice: the Lynch School of Education at Boston College. I describe how a new integrated urban experience for secondary candidates shows the Lynch School's commitment to preparing "highly qualified" teachers for America's diverse student population.

The authors examined business practitioners' preferences for higher education curricula design in general and for what graduates should know about Lean, or waste-reduction efforts. The authors conducted a Web-based survey and found that practitioners are not as concerned about graduates' possessing specific technical skills as they are about them possessing a systems view of organizations and value streams. The survey findings suggest several implications for undergraduate and graduate business school curriculum design, Lean education, and a broader systems approach to professional education. (Contains 6 tables.)

This paper discusses the European dimension of peace education. The argument is that a united Europe has also an impact on peace education. A peaceful Europe has to become the common task for peace educators all over Europe. This is the aim of the EURED peace education network whose work is here explained. EURED plans to provide in-service teacher training in peace education for teachers from the whole continent. A first pilot course might start in summer 2004. (Contains 9 notes.)

The article suggests that Religious Education, in practice and as a field, will benefit by exploring the history and practice of Religious Education in the Black church. Using examples from the history, curriculum, and process of Religious Education in the historic Black church, the article argues that the Black church offers a dynamic educational example for religion scholars and religious educators. The importance of reinvigorating Religious Education in the Black church is discussed and recommendations for future practice are made. (Contains 1 table and 3 footnotes.)

Three key publications from September 2000 point to rapid changes in the educational and arts environment in Hong Kong that will impact on the development of dance education. This paper provides some contextual details on the current state of dance education in Hong Kong and also examines the influence and possible ramifications implicit within these publications. A brief outline of the prevailing scope of professional activity is also provided. The necessity for teacher training to facilitate change is then discussed. (Contains 1 note.)

Motivating students to achieve learning goals in physical education is a challenge for physical education teachers. Dance, in particular, has long been considered an instructional unit in which it is difficult to motivate students. This article presents a practicing physical education teacher's reflection of her successful curricular reform and combines it with a discussion of the theoretical underpinnings of that success. What emerges is a good example of implementing theory into practice. (Contains 3 tables.)

Olive Banks' work Parity and Prestige in English Secondary Education made a major and distinctive contribution to the literature on the historical development of secondary education. Her work exemplified a close relationship between sociology and history, examined a vital and enduring theme that continues to be relevant and pervasive, helped to demonstrate the social dimensions of the determinants of secondary education, and raised a significant set of issues in relation to the role of the interconnections between education and occupational groups.

An interactive, two-way, video conferencing system enables North Georgia College and State University to place and supervise student teachers in remote, rural schools. Costs, technical aspects, and program processes are discussed. Student teachers are able to return to their home communities, university supervisors save travel time, and the university increases its visibility in remote areas. (Contains 25 references.) (TD)

Interviewed practicing teachers' regarding their perspectives on the requisite characteristics needed by physical education and teacher education participants. Respondents believed that undergraduates should have a love for physical activity, like people, be physically fit, and be flexible. They believed that cooperating teachers should be committed to the profession,display effectiveness as teachers, and embody personal characteristics such as honesty and adaptability. (SM)

A study examined seven rural Alaska communities engaged in educational reform. Findings indicate that educators must work with small communities to design reforms around local culture; parents must participate actively in school life and decisions; district leaders must share leadership to increase local ownership of reforms; and education in rural Alaska involves more than academic skills. (Author/TD)

Examines the implementation of intercultural bilingual education throughout Bolivia and its relationship to the linguistic and cultural rights of the majority indigenous population. Discusses institutional and curriculum reforms, particularly in rural schools; a new emphasis on students' learning needs; relationship to indigenous self-determination; community participation in educational decision making; and teacher resistance to change. (Contains 23 references.) (SV)

Reports on a one semester course, "Earth Systems Science for Educators" designed to use an active learning approach to improve student knowledge of basic Earth science concepts. Reports that, based on pre- and post-course assessments of 108 elementary and middle-level education majors who took the class from 1998 to 2000, there was an average increase in their content knowledge of 30 percent. (Author/MM)

Reports on the Partnership for Excellence in Teacher Education (PETE), an NSF-funded project to promote reform in mathematics and science teacher preparation that features the redesign of teacher preparation to reflect current research on learning and teaching. Concludes that new tools of technology have the potential for enhancing education but need to be assessed in terms of their cognitive, social, and learning consequences. (MM)

In a randomized, controlled trial, patients with joint diseases and concomitant treatment with NSAIDs and diuretics received systematic education. The intervention group was given information focusing on awareness of drug interactions and encouragement of self-adjustment of treatment. Results reveal that the intervention group achieved greater knowledge and that less than one hour of systematic education significantly improved patients' knowledge. (Contains 14 references, 2 tables, and an appendix.) (Author/GCP)

Descriptions of students projects raising chickens and studying salmon illustrate how project-based learning engages high-risk Alaska Native students. Projects make learning relevant, involve the community, increase student self-esteem, and help students and teachers bond with each other. A 4-day workshop for teachers emphasized how projects must be built around state standards. (TD)