This article provides the author's comments on the studies by Tom Russell, David Dillon, Shawn Bullock, Lynn Thomas, and Andrea Martin which are reported in this issue of "Studying Teacher Education." Here Stefinee Pinnegar reflects on the intractable conundrums of teacher education and teachers educators that she felt was her…

Discussion among health professionals of how they use theory in practice is intended to help theoreticians develop more useful theory and practitioners increase their understanding of the utility of good theory. (SK)

A discussion of the concept of andragogy argues that closer examination of it could contribute to research and development of learning design in distance education and to the convergence of classroom and distance instruction. Original meanings are explored and related to learner centeredness. Related issues and design/facilitation guidelines are…

Health education practitioners often neglect theories, possibly because of lack of training in their use or misunderstanding of their contribution to practice. Ways to make them more useful include (1) identifying helpful data; (2) fitting theories to projects and anticipating problems; (3) selecting appropriate theories; and (4) using parts of…

Four types of program failure are (1) termination before implementing a planned program; (2) insufficient enrollment; (3) failure to meet participant expectations; and (4) failure to achieve objectives. Speculations about probable causes of failure can lead to principles for improving practice and to theories about program failure. (SK)

Presents observations of how a particular teacher education program, the Open Education Alternative Program at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada, incorporates the acquisition of teaching skills into the "reflective" practice of these skills. (BB)

A study examined how 28 components of Outward Bound Western Canada (OBWC) courses affected student self-concept, motivation, and interpersonal skills. Data from questionnaires, interviews, and observations of 92 OBWC students generally supported previous research, but also indicated that the objectives of compassion and service received less…

The New American College is a model of higher education and adult learning which stresses an integrated academic culture, connecting general education with specialized education, including professional education, and theoretical learning with practical application. It provides a highly intentional learning environment and individual attention,…

The report presents results of a 1-year project whose purposes were to explore issues surrounding service provision to families with developmentally disabled members, to assess the status of family support programs nationwide, and to apply this information to the task of developing a family support program in Virginia. Part 1 reflects findings of…

This guide for current and prospective adult educators is a comprehensive, practical conceptual framework for planning, designing/implementing, and evaluating/accounting for adult education programs. Chapter 1 describes the programming process. Chapter 2 describes 13 nationally recognized models of the adult education programming process, the…

This document presents the national plan for research and development (R&D) in adult education and literacy that was developed by the National Institute for Literacy (NIFL). The document begins by explaining the process used to develop the plan, which included conducting a literature review, obtaining input from a national steering group, and…

The community literacy program of Western District Adult Basic Education in Georgia was examined to demonstrate how the meaning and value of literacy is a function of specific local institutions. The goal of the examination was to theorize literacy by constructing a localized framework for understanding literacy within a given institution in order…