Education & Pedagogy

The Singapore government, using a pragmatic approach to education and nation-building, has tried to resolve problems posed by constant social and economic changes. The system has been fine-tuned by reducing educational attrition, creating greater streaming flexibility, improving access to university education, and decentralizing school governance. (16 references) (MLH)

Responses from 103 of 285 clinical faculty in a university department of medicine identified the costs and benefits of their participation in continuing medical education. They felt that administrators have not communicated that continuing education is a priority through their attitudes or academic rewards. (SK)

Offers guidelines for integrating technology-enhanced education into the curricula: (1) support faculty and administration in developing technology-enhanced education; (2) identify information technology skills that graduates will need; (3) assist in planning support systems; (4) work with stakeholders to develop realistic estimates of needed resources; and (5) align student services to provide support. (JOW)

Describes and analyzes changing concepts of childhood and special needs education in the modern era, from the 17th century through World War II, and the postmodern era beginning in the middle of the 20th century. The "reinvention" of childhood in the postmodern era has included children with special physical needs and assured their right to education. (SLD)

A survey to determine whether oncology nurses (n=670) use the Internet and for what purpose revealed that they use it for drug information, literature searches, academic information, patient education, and continuing education. Results suggest that continuing-education providers should pursue the Internet as a means of meeting the need for quick, current information. (JOW)

The New Mexico AIDS Education and Training Center developed a self-guided Internet course to help New Mexico's rural health-care providers treat and counsel today's changing AIDS patients. The Center also provides on-site customized training to rural health-care providers, acts as an information center, and funds mini-sabbaticals during which rural personnel work in AIDS clinics. (SV)

Explores how experiments in both community development and in community economic development that are based on cooperative education provide fertile ground for research in environmental education. (Author/CCM)

Describes results of a survey that measured business educators' attitudes toward distance education at both the baccalaureate and masters levels of instruction. Two simultaneous equation models were developed, and key influential factors were found to be the experience of the respondent and their perception of difficulties with and appropriateness of distance education. (Author/LRW)

A survey of 101 graduates of the New England College of Optometry's (Massachusetts) accelerated doctoral program through 1995 and 141 graduates of the four-year program in 1990-95 illustrate the accelerated program's success in terms of graduate involvement in optometric education, medical education, and/or research, professional leadership, scholarship, and successful practice. (MSE)

Analyzes the Chautauqua movement's influence on the development of higher and adult learning in the United States through the latter part of the 19th and into the early 20th centuries, including correspondence education, summer sessions, extension services, university presses, and the introduction of culture to the rural masses. Links to current issues facing higher education are examined. (Author/MSE)

Argues that teacher education in economics is essential if high school students are to have an opportunity to learn economics. Presents results from a study that shows that a three-year master's degree program in economics has beneficial effects on the understanding of both the participating teachers and their students. (DSK)

Draws on Belanger's all-inclusive holistic framework for lifelong learning to analyze three contexts for lifelong learning in South Africa. Focuses on needs for improvement in initial education, adult education, and diffuse learning environments, as well as the need for policy concerned with both economic competitiveness and social equity. (SV)

Reviews recent research reports, policy statements, and federal legislation that recognize the arts as a fundamental subject. Discusses different ways of knowing, how the arts enhance learning in other areas, national standards for arts education, outcomes of arts education, and challenges to expanding arts education. Sidebars summarize a national teleconference on art literacy and findings of a national arts assessment. (TD)

A study involving 46 parents of youth with disabilities in public and private schools found that they believed the Individualized Education Programs were not individualized, were disappointed in special education, were tired of parenting special-education students, and had minimal parent expectations. Recommendations for parents are provided. (Author/CR)

Instruments were developed to test the following elements of Cervero's model of continuing professional-education effectiveness in achieving behavior change: motivation, social system, perceptions of the nature of change, and satisfaction with continuing professional education. Four studies and an expert panel confirmed the validity and reliability of the instruments. (SK)