Education & Pedagogy

Discussion of program evaluations in educational institutions reports on the use of focus groups in the evaluation of a program of school library education at the University of Alberta (Edmonton, Canada). Topics include self-study, a literature review, and reflections on models of professional education. (Author/LRW)

Discusses the higher education system in Nevada. Identifies characteristics of an ideal distance education delivery system, including cost effectiveness, accessibility to telecommunications lines and instructional materials, interactivity, flexibility, and user-friendliness. Also describes SMART, a personal computer-based audiographics system that meets these characteristics. (AEF)

Describes a workshop that presented both implementation strategies and a working model for education programs seeking to infuse environmental education (EE) in the classroom. Reviews possible obstacles to cross-curricular EE in the school setting and includes a list of factors useful in selecting cross-curricular program themes. (MCO)

Introduces the definition and conventions of distance education, otherwise called correspondence coursework, as it has developed over the last several decades. Characterizes the movement of distance education from peripheral to central prominence in many educational systems, particularly as relates to the challenges and opportunities in the teaching of science. (eight references) (Author/JJK)

Establishes the need for social work course offerings in rural Victoria, Australia, to improve access to education and social services. In 1989 Phillip Institute of Technology offered its Bachelor of Social Work degree and Graduate Diploma in Community Development in the Central Victorian city of Bendigo. (KS)

Outlines a cornerstone in the development of adventure programming--the establishment of program accreditation standards (developed by the Association for Experimental Education and the Council for Outdoor Education). Describes the accreditation process and the design of an accreditation manual, and program accreditation services and accreditation procedures. (SM)

Discusses environmental awareness and ethics as programmatic focus of outdoor recreation and education programs. Reasons for incorporating recreation into environmental education programs include "acclimatizing" students, turning abstract information into concrete positive experiences, providing skills for lifelong leisure, changing program tempo, and building a foundation for cooperation. Recommends systematic programming of recreation to reinforce environmental education curricula. (RAH)

The American Vocational Association's position paper calls for a reorganized federal act to support vocational-technical education. It includes the benefits of vocational-technical education to the United States and to the economy and stresses the need for modifications to meet the challenges of educational reform. (JOW)

This paper contends that liberal education is a critical foundation for development of clinical judgment skills required for professional nursing practice, that nursing students need to see human experience from more than one point of view, and that incorporation of professional education in a liberal arts university enriches all students. (MSE)

Analysis of the current unmet demand for higher education in Australia looks at the social and economic factors that have led to it since World War II. The labor government's approach is examined, including enhanced distance education, expanded technical education, and alternative schooling. (MSE)

Examines the role and functioning of teacher education advisory committees (TEACs), which assist in the design development, revision, and ongoing assessment of teacher licensure programs within an institution. Finds that significant power sharing and close working relationships between teacher education programs and TEACs have not yet been achieved. (RS)

Asserts that the restoration of the People's Republic of China's membership in the United Nations in 1971 signified China' return to the international community. Maintains that significant attention has been devoted to teaching about the United Nations. (CFR)

An educator within Hawaii's PETOM (Preservice Education for Teachers of Minorities) program discusses student evaluation, reflecting upon his own teaching and assessment practices and examining culture and multiple learning styles. Because traditional assessment is not always appropriate, teachers must be willing to be creative, involving students in learning and assessment practices. (SM)

Describes practical applications of distance education programs serving the disabled based on the experiences of the Independent Study program at the University of Wisconsin-Extension. Issues include information dissemination, planning, instruction, testing, and faculty training and support. (Author/AEF)

At the turn of the century, William Rainey Harper's concept of continuing education fostered correspondence study, a precursor of distance education. History shows the need for practices that move from emphasis on classroom instruction to appropriate and fully integrated use of new technologies that will realize the true potential of distance learning. (SK)