This paper presents the findings of a study conducted in China to identify the potential benefits of incorporating robotics as an educational tool for 100 primary and 320 secondary school teachers of general technology. The Professional Learning Program was conducted from 2010-2013 in China. The major focus of the program was on the development…

This paper presents an intercultural training program that was developed by the Center for Intercultural Learning at the European University Viadrina in cooperation with students. A few of the student-generated activities will be described in detail. The program, aimed at enabling students to acquire intercultural competence, was developed at an…

Thirty-three member schools of the Organization of Rural Oklahoma Schools cooperated in the creation of six school networks that participated in a series of electronic "field trips" for rural students. The field trips were actually conference telephone calls that allowed students and teachers to talk with experts in areas such as…

The recent conservative trend in educational policy is addressed in this paper which begins with a description of 10 specific types of threats to the instructional development movement that can evolve from an excessively conservative environment. These threats are named as follows: (1) scapegoat; (2) baby-with-the-bathwater; (3) chronological…

During the last 40 years, there has been a great number of innovations in English Language Teaching (ELT). The method by which these innovations have been diffused in many parts of the world has been through the project approach. This paper explores the suitability and effectiveness of this approach as a model for the diffusion of ELT innovation,…

An innovative program developed and implemented at Montclair State College in New Jersey was designed to maximize students' writing potential within the framework of course requirements across the curriculum. Based on the assumption that the written expression of ideas and the critical thinking skills associated with writing are fundamental to all…

This basic discussion of the organization of bibliographic instruction programs in an academic setting includes consideration of factors involved in implementing an innovative program. Several stages in developing and organizing a systematic program are reviewed: creating student awareness of the academic library in general, introduction to use of…

This paper describes the experience of setting up a computer assisted learning (CAL) program, the implementation of the program, and the way it is currently being integrated into the curriculum. The CAL program was developed by a team that included a subject specialist, specialists in computer applications and instructional design, a computer…

This paper discusses some of the reasons for the shortage of qualified computer studies teachers in South Africa, as well as problems with current training programs. It then focuses on a new innovative learning program, leading to a degree in science education, being developed at the University of South Africa for the preservice and inservice…

Through becoming involved in oral history, an individual develops transferrable abilities that can be applied throughout a lifetime. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the concept of oral history with an emphasis on how oral history efforts can be incorporated into the curriculum to involve students of all ages. Guidelines for librarians…

This paper examines the development of the mini-conference, a method for collecting qualitative data while promoting collegiality among participants. The mini-conference was developed for the purpose of obtaining the views of information and communication technology (ICT) educators from across Australia's universities as part of the ICT-Ed…

This paper presents an overview of eight issues that are central to the discussion of distance education and its relationship to institutional support and reward systems. Each section provides a brief description of the issue and a summary of what is currently known about reward practices and policies in distance education. The issues discussed…

This paper offers a perspective that grows out of what those at EDC's Center for Children and Technology have learned from nearly three decades of research on educational technology. The paper discusses where the field of educational research is heading and reviews promising directions for technology's role in education. There are changes in the…

Unquantifiable changes affecting attitudes of teachers, administrators, and students who were involved with a four-year comprehensive staff development effort are discussed. A brief overview and analysis of the Napa-Vacaville Follow Through Research Project describes the program designed to improve student engaged rates and achievement at two…

Teaching at Essex Community College in Maryland has offered several English instructors endless possibilities for program development. Two such public programs developed by one instructor are "The Why of Sports" and the Creative Writing Forum. The former involved six programs and an art exhibit showing the connections between sports and…