Technological literacy includes the following elements: (1) the ability to use technology; (2) knowledge about the details of individual technologies and the processes of technology development; (3) a holistic understanding of the historical and cultural context of technology and adaptability based on initiative and resourceful thinking; and (4) a…

Suggestions for early childhood educators on how to provide developmentally appropriate practices and teaching methods are offered. Suggestions concern: (1) making decisions about entrance and placement; (2) evaluating a program's accomplishment of goals; (3) planning and individualizing curriculum and instruction; and (4) promoting appropriate…

This digest brings together the various views on curriculum-related roles for library media specialists. The first section considers reasons why a disparity between theory and practice exists in regard to the involvement of library media specialists as curriculum consultants. Several sources addressing this issue are reviewed in the second…

The fall of communism in eastern and central Europe inspired the call for curriculum development in citizenship education throughout the growing democratic world. Many programs between U.S. institutions and newly developing democracies continue to produce curricula for democratic citizenship suited to local needs. This digest discusses: (1)…

The passage of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) in 1996 has ushered in a new era of welfare reform. A work-first approach emphasizes self-sufficiency designed to move welfare recipients into the workforce as quickly as possible. The first of two issues related to the current context of welfare-to-work…

Professional development, a continuing process of activities that enhance professional growth, should be planned and managed by the individual. Although part-time adult educators may be able to consult with supervisors in planning professional development, more often they work in relative isolation and must take sole responsibility for their…

The role of the syllabus in second language teaching is described, distinguishing six major types of syllabi and how they might be implemented in various teaching situations. The foreign language teaching syllabus involves both the integration of subject matter (what to talk about) and linguistic matter (how to talk about it). Choices of syllabi…

Career resource centers (CRCs), which are located in both educational settings and the workplace, provide information and services on planning a career and finding a job. CRCs offer information, materials, and services to individuals interested in career planning and development and are typically found in secondary and higher education…

This ERIC Digest delineates problems posed by the increasing number of language-minority children in schools and offers suggestions for teaching children from different cultures. It is maintained that a group's language reflects its culture, and the uses to which that language is put are culturally determined. When children and adults do not share…

"Information Power: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs," which was published jointly by the American Library Association (ALA) and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) in 1988, is the most recent in a series of efforts to articulate and encode professional program and practice standards that have…

The National Career Development Guidelines provide a comprehensive program that will lead students of all ages through a sequential process of career development. The guidelines contain 12 competencies that relate to 3 areas of career development--self-knowledge, educational and occupational exploration, and career planning. Splete and Stewart…

Leadership development is an important, longstanding concern in career and technical education (CTE). CTE's focus on leadership development has traditionally started in secondary programs, continued in postsecondary programs, and included formal credit and noncredit activities for preservice or inservice CTE teachers or administrators. Because of…