Education & Pedagogy

A former student reminisces about attending the Organic School in Fairhope, Alabama, in the 1950s. Founded in 1903, the school pioneered child-centered education; had multigraded classes; incorporated dance, pottery, weaving, and art into the curriculum; and was guided generally by the philosophy that education is not preparation for life, but that education is life. (TD)

Discussion of distance education focuses on strategies for administrators and faculty to use to support the appropriate use of this educational format. Considers some of the advantages and disadvantages of distance education, financial support for the development and delivery of distance education courses, and needed faculty training. (Author/LRW)

This introduction discusses how creative programmatic activities can be designed to address the needs of preservice and inservice educators. It describes a practicum that provided preservice students in early childhood special education opportunities to apply consultation skills to teachers working with children with disabilities and an inservice on behavioral supports. (CR)

Examines current controversies and challenges in bilingual education, reviewing the case for bilingual education and the research supporting it. Makes suggestions for improving bilingual education, which include enriching the print environment and using heritage language development. Discusses research findings on challenges to bilingual education, then offers examples of bilingual programs that work. (SM)

This article explores factors related to the difficulties that teachers experience in their first year of teaching, needs and concerns of beginning general education and special education teachers, and induction and mentoring of beginning teachers. Recommendations for ways various individuals can support beginning special education teachers are provided. (Contains references.) (CR)

Argues that although findings of the educational research are very valuable in physics education it is not the most important element to improve education. Discusses comparisons of students' academic achievement from an international perspective, students' understanding of scientific concepts, and research and practice in physics education. (Contains 18 references.) (YDS)

Considers how Illinois has always tested teachers for certification, but now state officials are holding teacher education programs at colleges and universities accountable for "passing rates" on these examinations as part of the Federal Title II initiative which is intended to identify and make public "bad quality" teacher education programs. (SG)

Introduces a special issue that examines higher education in South Africa 7 years after apartheid and focuses on state-supported institutions, which constitute the main core of higher education in South Africa. Describes factors influencing higher education change and examines three steps taken by the Minister of Education toward the envisaged restructuring. (SM)

Reports on a study that describes in detail the design processes used by small groups of preservice teacher education students engaged in ill-defined, open-ended, self-selected design technology projects. Provides insight to assist teacher educators in designing courses. (Contains 30 references.) (DDR)

Points out some reference points on trends that may change the face of education in the near future. Examines challenges to schools related to social exclusion, high-risk students, student diversity, and collaboration; changes that will affect teachers; and trends in teacher education. (Author/SV)

Focuses on two main issues concerning the mathematics education of prospective primary school teachers in Greece: the integration of mathematics and pedagogy, and the relationship of theory to practice. Discusses specific teaching approaches concerning the problem of integration both in mathematics and in mathematics education courses. (Contains 11 references.) (Author/ASK)

The movement in British nursing education from nursing schools to higher education has been criticized for deficiencies in skills-based training. Adding a competency-based approach using National Vocational Qualifications is a way to ensure that nurses have practical competence as well as knowledge and understanding. (Contains 24 references.) (SK)

Describes the mathematics education component of one early childhood teacher education program and explores how the school mathematics curriculum can provide a meaningful framework for the mathematical learning of very young children. Examines a variety of issues pertaining to the early emergence and development of mathematical concepts. (Contains 30 references.) (Author/ASK)

Explores the potential problems of intersection between the defining aims of antiracist education and teachers' beliefs about the aims of education. Identifies a framework for differentiating three ethical perspectives that teachers often take in articulating and justifying their beliefs about the ideal aims of education. (CMK)

An outline of the adult education system in Czechoslovakia is presented as a model for organizing such a descriptive research study. The three major topics are (1) comprehensive (statewide) system of adult education, (2) adult education subsystems, and (3) research and theory of adult education. (LAS)