In today's digital society, computational thinking (CT) is a critical component of all children's education. In "Computational Thinking Curricula in K-12," editors Harold Abelson and Siu-Cheung Kong present a range of professional perspectives on the most effective ways to integrate CT into school curricula. Their edited volume, which…

Describes general and specific didactic profiles of engineering courseware for evaluating a curriculum. To carry out a diagnosis of written material, the two profiles and a complexity facet were prepared. Provides a model in the self-instructional course, Digital System. (YP)

Examines Israeli teacher autonomy in a centrally developed high school curriculum. Describes how teachers view this shift of control and the 50 percent assessment-by-teacher system. Concludes teacher autonomy is not necessarily dependent on the system being noncentralist and that guided freedom increases teacher power and potential effectiveness.…

A very diverse population of students choose nursing as a profession in Israel. Although chemistry is basic for studying nursing, most of these students have not studied chemistry in school for longer than a single year--usually in grade 10. A chemistry curriculum for nursing schools was developed, implemented, and evaluated. This curriculum was…

A survey of Israeli social work faculty (n=62), social workers (n=70), and third-year students (n=90) found an overall positive orientation toward research. Faculty and practitioners feel students are less favorably disposed to research than students do and are unlikely to incorporate it into curricula. (Author/MSE)

Architects need to understand sociology, psychology, philosophy, education, and many other fields in order to plan professional buildings. To illustrate this point, a distinction is drawn between teaching (imparting factual knowledge) and educating (imparting general understanding or basic appreciation of the subjects studied and applying this…

Presents a view of future engineering education as perceived by the Technion faculty group on the basis of their own analysis and the insights gathered from workshop discussions. Contrasts basic and specialized education. Reviews the technologies and skills of the future engineer. Gives an overview of curriculum requirements. (CW)

Introduces the symposium on arts integration in other countries. Provides brief summaries of the papers included and biographical information on the authors. Authors include Andre Karpati and Emil Gaul on Hungary, Shifra Schonman writing from Israel, Gary E. McPherson discussing Australia, and David Best on England. (MJP)

Introduces a special theme issue on the Holocaust. Describes events during a visit to Germany, Poland, and Israel by Canadian educators. Previews articles in the theme issue. (CFR)

This summary describes the results of a survey that served as a needs assessment, preceding the development of a curriculum for both Arab and Jewish elementary schools in Israel. The curriculum's goals were to educate children to create interethnic contacts on a basis of mutual equality and respect for each other and their cultures. Previous…

Discusses the reasons for, and the reactions to, the marginalization of drama/theater education in the Israeli school system. Curricular reform introduced in the mid-1980s resulted in some improvement, however, school principal autonomy remains a major stumbling block. Recommends drama teachers seize the initiative and implement programs on their…

The guide outlines the design and content of Hebrew language schools (ulpanim) for immigrants in Israel. In addition to teaching the fundamentals of the Hebrew language, these schools introduce immigrants to the basic values of Judaism, the Jewish people, and the land of Israel. Introductory sections offer a brief history of ulpanim since 1949 and…

Examines the question of how, and if, kibbutz social values are transmitted through kibbutz studies curricula. Determined that the accepted attitude of instructors (neutral and objective) was at odds with the inherent socialization of the kibbutz's mission. Includes a brief history of kibbutz development. (MJP)