Education & Pedagogy

This introductory article discusses technology-mediated education and instruction by exploring professional issues and distance education courses. It also summarizes the articles that follow on multimedia and distance learning technologies, a successful faculty technology training effort, and a technology effort to deliver courses off-campus. (CR)

Cholesterol measurements of 328 volunteers were taken before and after continuing medical education interventions (lectures and information dissemination to physicians, patient education). Although 50% reduced their serum cholesterol, the only practice change was an increase in physicians giving dietary instructions. (SK)

A review of programs supported under the federal Alliance 2000 Project stresses the value of a variety of models for the preparation of special education personnel to meet the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students with disabilities. (DB)

Discusses the need for an accreditation process of distance education programs in higher education. Topics include the increasing number of distance courses; Department of Education concerns regarding possible abuses; and concern by faculty groups over the control of course content and the commercialization of education by for-profit providers. (Contains 7 references.) (LRW)

Offers insights into the new distance education initiative in Canadian lay theological education. Describes the diploma program at St. Francis Xavier University that is situated within the continuing education division; challenges of a distance format, including community-building and providing practical skills such as leadership; and advantages of a distance format. (LRW)

Investigates effective technology-based education in the field of nursing in South Africa. Specifically describes and analyzes the results of an experiment to assess the value of using specialized hands-on equipment in nurse training and education as an addition to current computer-based training systems. (Author/WRM)

The transition phase from higher education to employment is examined for diverse European systems of higher education (United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, France, Spain), drawing on data from studies of the 1980s and 1990s. Areas for further research are noted. (MSE)

Explores topics related to civic education for democracy in post-communist Hungary. Includes discussions of the context and history of civic education in Hungary, challenges to the emergence of democratic civic education and principal approaches to it, and the roles of international civic education partners in this process. (DSK)

Offers 15 strategies for taking advantage of distance education. These include inservicing instructors about the technology being used, allowing instructors to plan together to integrate curriculum, helping students at all sites feel connected with the other students, having students evaluate their distance education experiences, and developing policies about technology use. (SM)

Observes that the impetus for global education and the growth of the Internet share common roots and are easily integrated for educational purposes. Provides critical reviews of five World Wide Web sites devoted to global education resources and includes the Web address for each site. (DSK)

Examines four organizational models for the promotion of continuing vocational education in the United Kingdom higher education sector through a case-study approach. Topics include strategic planning, product development, promotional activity, integration, financial issues, and customer relations. (Author/LRW)

Presents the text of a speech to the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) on the state of assessment in science and mathematics education and the future direction of efforts in these areas. Argues for more collaboration between research and education. (DDR)

Discusses the results of an attempt to provide an environment more conducive to the personal needs, learning styles, and interest orientations of elementary education majors in an introductory course in the biological sciences. (DDR)

Discusses trends in German higher education over the last decade, focusing on the expansion and differentiation of postsecondary education, societal changes in the student population, and the relationship between education and social class in light of the "individualization thesis" of sociologist Ulrich Beck. (MDM)

Reviews global changes and the following strategies changing the definition of university extension and continuing education: (1) cost-recovery entrepreneurial model; (2) emphasis on professional continuing education; (3) diminishing focus on traditional service; (4) distance education; and (5) global marketing. (SK)