Purpose: This paper synthesises international research on effective mentor training, education and development (MTED). Design/methodology/approach: An adaptive theory methodology (Layder, 1998), combining deductive and inductive methods, was deployed in a qualitative meta-synthesis of thematic findings generated in three studies: a systematic…

This paper explores the evolving landscape of informatics education in European primary and secondary schools, analysing academic and grey literature to define the state of play and open questions related to 'high-quality informatics education'. It underlines the strategic importance of promoting high-quality informatics education to prepare…

This review was designed to further our understanding of the link between teachers' pedagogical beliefs and their educational uses of technology. The synthesis of qualitative findings integrates the available evidence about this relationship with the ultimate goal being to facilitate the integration of technology in education. A meta-aggregative…

Learning style theorists have advanced several distinct definitions of learning style and have proposed diagnostic procedures and instructional practices based on these definitions. Practitioners could benefit by being able to draw on the full range of these conceptions, but the conditions of dissemination discourage theorists from drawing…

Reviews the literature on the benefits of mentor relationships for both the protege and the mentor. Suggests that experienced developmental educators mentor colleagues new to the field and that developmental students be encouraged to find and cultivate mentoring relationships. (DMM)

This chapter addresses the relationship between three different approaches to educational improvement--instructional development (ID), organizational development (OD), and faculty development (FD). These three approaches are related to each other using the concept of readiness for innovation, and a spiral relationship is postulated: an individual,…

There is growing consensus among education reformers that professional development is at the center of education reform and instructional improvement. Teachers need to keep up with the changes in their subject field and developments in current practices and policies. Community colleges can meet the needs of new professional development strategies…

Based on a review of studies on junior faculty development programs, this paper focuses specifically on development of research skills. It stresses the importance of administrative support, good management, orientation toward the future, collegiality, mentoring, group projects, research centers, travel money, time for research, financial support,…

Three recently published books intended to help both new and experienced college teachers with their teaching methods and skills are given brief but favorable reviews. "The Art and Craft of Teaching" (edited by Margaret Morganroth Gullette) includes chapters and essays on teaching methods, the first day of class, lecturing, questioning…

This review of research on instructional improvement and teacher evaluation considers the complex issues affecting the K-8 principal's ability to enhance educational quality through effective supervision of the instructional process. According to several studies, teachers found formal evaluations far less valuable than direct assistance and…

The purpose of the review is to critically analyze English-written research articles pertaining to inclusion of students with disabilities in physical education published in professional journals both within and outside of the United States from 1995-2005. Each study included in this review had to meet seven a priori criteria. Findings of the 38…

This textbook, intended for graduate students in introductory educational supervision courses, draws on the research on effective schools, teacher and adult development, and supervisory practice, as well as on direct practical experience, to provide information that supervisors can use to help their schools be more successful. The term…

This literature review discusses the nature of instructional development (ID) and the ID movement, and examines the factors affecting the success of ID in higher education, focusing in particular on the organization and implementation of ID programs. The role of ID agencies is discussed and the various characteristics of such agencies are…

This research synthesis provides insight into issues related to teacher diversity and faculty development. It begins with a review of the literature on models of professional development and the characteristics of effective professional development identified by research, with the knowledge that little, if any, research has addressed professional…

Empirical studies of the connection between humor and learning indicate that humor can increase student attention and interest. Presentation of humorous material involves skills that can be learned through practice, and faculty development programs for teachers to acquire these skills should be made available. (MSE)