In this article, the author addresses the challenge to teacher education programs to resist swings in the pendulum and help new teachers sustain progressive, responsive, school-based reform efforts that seek to address the unique needs of every student even as external demands for standardized measurements of learning remain firmly in place in the…

Differing points of view on the relative merits of open schools and traditional schools are examined. (JD)

The mission of lifelong learning encompasses a holistic, universal, educative framework embedded in acts of self-directed, self-initiated learning. Key to these lifelong learning actions are both facilitative environments and resources for individual learning activities, as well as the development of individual structures and processes to create,…

The author examines the background and purposes of open learning in Great Britain. Political motives are emphasized. The distinction between distance education and open education is made. The author calls for more focus on individualizing instruction in distance education. (CH)

All students are gifted in some special way. Today's classrooms must be individualized so well that, as teachers, we really know our students and their most effective patterns of learning, realizing that cognitive and affective learning are equally important. If individual children are to approach their potential in giftedness, in whatever area,…

Describes Tolstoy's experimental school program as a forerunner of modern, open-education programs. In a radical departure from conventional, nineteenth century Russian educational practice, Tolstoy stressed individualized, independent learning with meaningful instructional materials. In his non-coercive classroom, self-discipline was founded on…

Reasons for the increased interest in "self-access" learning in language classrooms are explored, particularly the shift from teacher-centered to learner-centered learning. Ways that a Malaysian teachers college set up a self-access learning center are described. (Contains seven references.) (LB)

To examine the cultural context and theoretical basis of an educational system similar to the British infant school approach, this study undertook observation and analysis of a British middle school practicing what is called "informal education" (to differentiate it from other similar innovations such as open education, individualized…

An examination of any school curriculum would reveal the existence of "basic" subjects such as reading, writing, and computation. Therefore a "return to basics" is not needed but rather a change in methodology in teaching these subjects. The following methodological changes are suggested: (1) Test each child to ascertain the level of achievement…

Discussion of interactive technologies and open learning focuses on computer supported cooperative work (CSCW), especially computer based message systems, and their effects on open learning. Topics discussed include cooperative learning; distance learning; individualized instruction; local area networks; group communication; and design principles…

Results of survey of high technology educational delivery systems in nine two-year colleges (five in the United States and four in Canada) emphasize the use of computers to provide alternatives to traditional classroom teaching. Topics discussed include open education, self-paced (fleximode) learning, artificial intelligence, software, and…