Shifts in the ways that science is being undertaken and marshaled toward social change argue for a new kind of professional competence. Taking the view that the science of social work is centrally about the relationship of research to social impact, the authors extend Fong's focus on transdisciplinary and translational approaches to science,…

Meeting the challenges of delivering a 21st-century curriculum and a world-class quality education ultimately depends on the willingness of the staff on the ground to give 100% effort to their jobs. Although many people in schools work very hard, some staff members are way down on the scale with regard to performance. All too often, a significant…

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are being recognized globally for their influential role in realizing the UN Millennium Development Goal of education for all in developing countries. NGOs mostly employ untrained para-educators for grassroots activities. The professional development of these teachers is critical for NGO effectiveness, yet…

As libraries change to meet the evolving needs of our patrons, including the development of online services, many libraries are considering consolidating physical service points to maximize staff and better serve the in-house patron. This article describes the planning, implementation, and evaluation process involved in merging the circulation and…

Describes how the British Post Office's training and development function evolved a human resource strategy designed to help individuals add value to the organization and apply thinking skills. Shows how the trainers' role shifted from classroom teacher to consultant and project manager. (SK)

Describes a course developed for the six supervisors of a Scarborough factory who have Italian as their first language. Course objectives include competent communication with native English speakers at the management level, ease of self-expression in meetings, and clarity of communication of hourly workers of other language groups. (EJS)

Ruskin College and Oxford City Council collaborated on a course to develop council employees' skills and confidence in 12 2-hour sessions in workplaces and a residential weekend at the college. The brevity and dual locations prompted a change to five full days entirely at the college. (SK)

Provides tips for designing effective training programs for library assistants. Discusses general points to consider; acquainting new assistants with the library; and assigning jobs that reflect assistants' interests. Suggests special projects for assistants including: arranging displays; cataloging; covering paperback and hardback books;…

This purpose of this paper is to identify implications of various learning theories for workplace learning and performance and HRD. It begins with a review of various theoretical positions on learning including behaviorism, Gestalt theory, cognitive theory, schema theory, connectionist theory, social learning or behavior modeling, social…

Focuses on "Bootstrap Training," a scientific literacy program for permanent non-science and part-time adjunct librarians at San Jose State University Library. Describes an initial training-needs questionnaire distributed to all reference personnel, the implementation of a staff development program with scientific literacy goals,…

Description of the Westport (Connecticut) Public Library's experience with DIALOG as an effective ready reference tool highlights introduction of the search service, location of the terminal, the three most popular databases, a workshop to provide online training for the entire reference staff, and costs and free searches. (EJS)

Outlines an innovative approach taken by a TAFE (technical and further education) institute in Tasmania to overcome problems associated with effective implementation of on-the-job training in field placements of early childhood students. The program involves a college-based child care training center, where students in an Associate's degree…

Discusses the problem of keeping library staff motivated when promotions are not available. Topics addressed include the importance of management training that emphasizes communication skills; alternative ways to help employees grow, including staff development programs, lateral transfers, job rotation, and short-term projects; and helpful…

Focuses on effective technology training for library staff. Discusses helping staff overcome technophobia; suiting technology-based jobs with staff members' needs and capabilities; providing a policy/procedure manual to guide the training; the steps that should occur in training; aligning training with in-house library resources and services;…

A pilot project was conducted to implement the Oregon A.I.M. (Assessment, Instruction, Mastery), a tutor program accountability system developed in Oregon, in 15 volunteer-based programs in Pennsylvania and to make recommendations on the usefulness of this system as a means of collecting and aggregating data on student progress for these and…