Nursery experience is now common for young children and their families. Questions of quality have focussed mainly on safety and early learning. The roles of subtle emotional processes in daily pedagogic interactions have received surprisingly little attention. This paper discusses the Tavistock Observation Method (TOM), a naturalistic method of…

In engineering education, assessment instruments are often developed to evaluate programs and projects. Unfortunately, these innovations are not always adopted by intended audiences. Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations (DI) Theory provides a framework to analyze characteristics of an innovation that will affect adoption. The Appraisal System for…

The Concerns-Based Adoption Model (Hall & Hord, 2006) is one tool educational leaders can use to understand the process of change and teachers' stage-related concerns when implementing innovations. This paper presents select findings from a comparative case study of two urban elementary schools in which changes in teachers' reports of their…

This study aimed to investigate the transformational impact of introducing significant new learning technology in an Australian university over the time period 2007-2009. The exploration of this transformation is grounded in a social-ecological systems approach to the management of technology enhanced learning environments in the face of constant…

The study evaluated the current situation in Cyprus elementary classrooms regarding computer technology integration in an attempt to identify ways of expanding teachers' and students' experiences with computer technology. It examined how Cypriot elementary teachers use computers, and the factors that influence computer integration in their…

There have been many articles written about the variety of ways faculty and students define eportfolios, collect artifacts, write reflections, and use finished eportfolios. However, little has been written about the dynamic process of adopting electronic portfolios in schools of education. This study employs cross-case analysis to investigate…

This paper is a case study about the role of evaluation and its effect on a foster care program's adoption services. It presents examples of the dilemmas often faced by the evaluator who must identify problems and design action plans to correct program deficiencies. HeartShare Human Services of New York is an 80-year-old nonprofit agency that…

This follow-up study of a special demonstration project (Oregon, 1973) evaluates the placement of children in foster care by exploring the stability and quality of placements. The project included 509 children who were under 12 years of age, unlikely to return home, and adoptable. The following questions were investigated: (1) How does the…

In 1973 the Children's Services Division (Oregon State) initiated a project to reduce the backlog of children in indeterminate status by developing more Permanent alternative placements. This follow-up study evaluates the placements of foster children who returned to their parents, were adopted, or remained in foster care. A literature review…

Whatever the innovation, the adoption-rejection decision must be related to precise evaluation data; and in cases where positive benefits are the clear result of an innovative program, the implementation of an effective diffusion program can magnify and multiply the benefits for a larger population of students. The Peterborough Project…

This evaluative research report on the nature and extent of efforts to adopt and continue family day care support services in New York State is addressed to persons interested in developing an educational and support program for family day care and to policy makers. Findings are reported in 2 parts. Part I is a discussion of variables that tend to…

Designed to examine the academic computing programs of six liberal arts colleges that received funding from the Exxon Education Foundation for introducing or expanding academic computing between 1981 and 1983, this report first describes each college's program proposals. It then examines the progress of the colleges to date on their projects and…

This report reviews several approaches to organizational analysis and discusses problems in implementing an accountability system. Chapter 1 surveys socio-technical and technical-behavioral systems. Chapter 2 discusses the importance of psychoanalysis and organization analysis. Chapter 3 presents problems in implementing an accountability system…

Describes a five step mechanism for promoting change and illustrates it with a case study from the Telecommunication and Broadcasting Training Institute (TBTI) in Saudi Arabia. The steps outlined are: (1) organizational analysis; (2) determining receptivity to change; (3) implementation strategy; (4) implementing change and overcoming resistance;…

This handbook was designed to help educators in higher education initiate a project that will integrate women's research, values, and perspectives into the curriculum and promote equity for campus women. There are six chapters. The first chapter examines ways to develop support for a curriculum project. Separate sections discuss rationales and…