Not surprisingly, in an increasingly neo-liberal context of international competition for educational prestige, conversations about teaching and teacher preparation have taken hold across the globe. Further complicating these matters is that ideas about teaching, learning, and learning to teach cannot be understood or analyzed in a vacuum; that…

The articles published in "D & S" concerning the creation and operation of remote training methods can be characterized according to the points of view taken by experts or researchers. The authors are interested in three particular aspects of the training process: organization, design, and impact. Different approaches in the design…

The paper picks up "matching problems" related to current European education policy moves by referring to the German, the French and the Austrian VET system respectively. As we here refer to "dual systems" or "school-based systems" respectively, the pre-conditions for transforming European policy into national…

It would seem that most policies to promote the use of APEL as a certification method parallel to that offered by formal education and training systems are based on the belief that it is a less costly and shorter method, which is more attractive. Few countries, however, have convincing surveys or observations of the real advantages of APEL for…

Training professionals to design and produce interactive systems requires the use of well thought-out training scenarios. Indeed, it is essential to consider pedagogical forms whose objective is providing learners with field experience. It is also necessary to motivate learners to learn about subjects that sometimes seem distant from their…

Examines two central community work training areas in France--courses offering training in "animation" and social work courses. Also identifies three areas significant for community work training: community centers, postprofessional training, and social services. (CT)

Discusses the application of communication and information technologies (C&IT) in education and vocational training for 12 member states in the Commission of the European Communities (CEC). Highlights include funding sources; major activities; the DELTA project, which supports training through new technologies in an open learning environment;…

As part of its General Information Programme, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has for many years concerned itself with training in the use of information by preparing guides and organizing meetings and seminars on the subject. There are now an enormous number of specialized information users whose…

Examines the effects of teachers' training on pupils' achievement in French and mathematics. Compares the effectiveness of three samples of (French) elementary teachers with different levels of experience and training, using a multilevel model. Results show that training and experience enhance novice teachers' effectiveness. Neither training nor…

The first article comments on workers' education courses in France, specifically the training of retired workers. The second article gives a brief, up-to-date survey of the Confederation of Venezuelan Workers' principal training activities. The last article examines programs at the George Meany Center for Labor Studies. (CT)

This publication highlights the role of the tutor (a person providing on-the-job training to new hires and persons moving into new jobs while still functioning in the same or a similar job, rather than being a full-time trainer) in industry through a comparative study of these four European countries: Austria, France, Germany, and Spain. Following…

This paper describes a training system developed in France for occupational therapists on accessibility for people with disabilities. The system is based on a methodology of home planning designed by an interdisciplinary team comprised of an architect, an occupational therapist, people with disabilities, physical medicine and rehabilitation…

The Post-16 Strategies project coordinated by Dr. Johanna Lasonen from 1996 to 1998 was chiefly concerned with four post-16 education strategies: (1) "vocational enhancement"; (2) "mutual enrichment"; (3) "linkages;" and (4) "unification." These four strategies to promote parity of esteem between vocational…

Training firefighters is a difficult process in which emotions and nonverbal behaviors play an important role. The authors have developed a mixed reality environment for training a small group of firefighters, which takes into account these aspects. The assessment of the environment was made up of three phases: assessing the virtual agents to…

The conference "People and Technology: Investing in Training for Europe's Future" was the largest combined conference and exhibition ever launched by the European Community in the field of vocational training. The major themes discussed during the course of the conference were the future of training and work in light of technological…