Education & Pedagogy

A qualitative study of faculty, distance education program administrators, and chief academic officers at four research universities found that distance education has marginal status, is not highly valued or well rewarded, and is not highly related to promotion and tenure. The study concluded that institutional commitment to distance education determined rewards. (PEN)

Recent educational developments in Thailand include efforts to extend compulsory education from six to nine years and end urban/rural school disparities. The next reform issue will be tackling inequalities between students graduating from new compulsory-education programs and college-bound students graduating from the normal secondary school system. (MLH)

Describes the collaboration between a university and a public school system to reform special education in the Brookline (Massachusetts) school system and the implementation of a new administrative structure, the appointment of a clinical coordinator, and the focus on differential diagnosis. (SLD)

Examines the myths about gifted education held by society and educators. In exposing the myths and providing the research-supported realities, the article defends the existence of gifted education. The article also includes suggestions for how to best shape and present gifted education in a way that creates a wider acceptance of its mission. (SM)

Exploration of the social and economic context of further education in England shows increased collegiality and a culture of continuous improvement have transformed teaching and learning. These changes take place within a modernizing strategy focused on value-added education and economic competitiveness. (SK)

Proposes that Appalachia pursue an economic development strategy based on exporting knowledge and training. Partnerships between governments, private utilities, and institutions of higher learning could improve the telecommunications infrastructure, establish new learning products companies, instruct adults at their home and work places, expand enrollments in area colleges and universities, and create well-paying nonpolluting jobs. (TD)

Describes the number of barriers that prevent girls from accessing education at every level in Papua New Guinea, from physical and geographical factors to psychosocial and economic factors. Proposes distance education as one of the few "second chances" for these girls. Contains 30 references. (AMA)

Tacit knowledge and judgment associated with vocational education requires high levels of expertise on the part of assessors. A new model of competency-based education emphasizes the exchange of tacit knowledge and exercise of tacit judgment on learning, shedding new light on old debates about competency-based education and training. (SK)

Defines the concept of pluralistic education and discusses its goals. Interviews a number of teachers to investigate their conceptions of education and their response to the idea of pluralistic education. Reports that teachers share an affinity with certain aspects of pluralistic education but differ in a number of fundamental ways. (DSK)

Suggests that the "fact-shoveling" model of higher education is rendering institutions superfluous in this Information Age. Illustrates the convergence of business and education, and notes that businesses are providing relevant training for free, while a university education remains costly. Discusses the credential problem, standardization, and need to place information in a meaningful context. (AEF)

Canadian public education has become secularized. Although the Charter's language on freedom of conscience and religion prohibits religious indoctrination in schools, it does not proscribe education about religion. Generally, Canadian courts have followed and accepted American developments in this regard but have avoided byzantine judgments on school prayers. Contains 42 references. (MLH)

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has made remarkable progress in the area of networking. An education network is being developed to provide mass training and resource-based learning. The development of networked education in India is highlighted and a model is suggested for the virtual classroom. (Author/AEF)

This Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) position paper identifies the curricular areas that should be addressed in a preparation program for teachers at the elementary level. Outlines preferred knowledge in the following areas: general education, foundations of elementary education, child development, the learning and teaching process, curriculum and instructional strategies, and clinical/field experiences. (EV)

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE) is a major component in the general design of the governance of Indiana's state colleges. This paper examines the CHE's history, discusses its relationship with Indiana's state colleges, and notes that CHE decisions affecting public higher education are often influenced more by politics, economics, and sociology than academic imperatives. (SM)

Reviews the history of Studies in Science Education and critiques the role of this journal from a personal perspective as well as from knowledge of the Australian context for science education. Discusses directions for the future. Contains 30 references. (DDR)