This article offers a conversation with Dr. Jane Piirto, author, and professor at Ashland University, where she teaches in the Department of Inclusive Services & Exceptional Learners and the Doctoral Program in Leadership Studies. Here she discusses what she is currently working on, how the five dimensions of overexcitability relate to ADHD,…

During her years at the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), the author has read many articles and attended many conference sessions about wonderful technology projects that have made a difference for students and teachers. With funds already tight, schools and districts need to think about advocating for increased funding in…

Twelve ideas to produce technical training faster, make it longer lasting, and more cost effective are examined. They include performance improvement analysis, cause analysis, observing actual performance, concentrating more on the stimuli, considering alternatives to training, stating terminal behaviors for training programs, and using feedback…

Defines assertive, nonassertive, and aggressive behavior. Discusses assertiveness training as a technique for self-growth, staff development, and teacher effectiveness. (SK)

Charges that the Mandeville and Rivers article in the same "Educational Leadership" issue is seriously flawed for failing to address whether teachers actually used Hunter's Program for Effective Teaching techniques as intended. Only careful observation of the 25 participating teachers with two years' experience using the ideas could…

Commends Mandeville and Rivers' article in the same "Educational Leadership" issue for demonstrating familiarity with the Hunter staff development model and acknowledging the importance of proper implementation strategies. Presents evidence showing that abbreviated training periods and insufficient coaching are to blame for the model's…

Describes how education came to adopt the textbook approach and reviews various educational reform movements. Suggests that more attention must be paid to the processes whereby educators take the lead in the development of reflection that leads to changes in schools and the attitudes of the general public. (Author/JOW)

The Internet has made it impossible for higher education institutions to ignore technology in fulfilling their strategic mission and responding to the expectations of a diverse student body. In the Republic of Ireland, as elsewhere, the use of online technologies has become an increasingly important challenge in academic staff development, and on…

Presents five story telling strategies--inspired by the work of Vivian Paley--that teachers can use to discover children's perspectives in a classroom: share the story of our names, share favorite stories from childhood, pass the paper and find the different stories, act out the story with different communication styles, and see our work as making…

Examines staff development as part of an inclusion model for English-as-a-Second-Language programs in elementary schools. (Author/VWL)

Argues that teachers' individual differences contribute to the failure of many inservice workshops. Suggests ways by which consultants and staff developers can deal with differences and provide alternatives for more individualized instruction. (RL)

Knowledge and skills related to environmental protection are in high demand for any workforce that is both aware of and competent in its actions. Continuous optimization and reform of production structures are essential procedures for ecology-geared corporate processes; therefore, corresponding training for all members of the workforce, from…

Discusses gender differences in the use of computers and the need to achieve greater computer equity. Highlights include curriculum and staff development issues; instructional techniques to encourage computer equity; and a new model of instructional design based on Keller's Attention, Relevance, Confidence, Satisfaction (ARCS) model that addresses…

The extent to which Mississippi teachers receive specific training regarding screening for learning disabilities and teaching learning-disabled adults was examined through a mail survey of all 81 of Mississippi's adult education supervisors. Of the 36 supervisors who returned usable questionnaires (a 44% response rate), 5 (13.9%) did not attempt…

Discusses concerns about the current state of elementary school reading programs. Suggests specific ways these programs may be improved for the benefit of children and society. Discusses priority of reading in the schools, beginning reading programs, remedial reading programs, staff development programs, and the incidence and quality of…