Thirteen authors reflect on different ideas of communitarianism and citizenship and on the ways those ideas find application in the fields of education, politics, and social welfare. Looking beyond communitarian ideology, the volume offers a more detailed discussion of citizenship in contemporary society. The essays are: (1) "Beyond…

The shift from traditional classroom education to computer-mediated distance learning poses enormous challenges to instructors and learners. The concept of the classroom where students meet to interact with other learners and the instructor no longer exists. Learners lack a natural social outlet to engage with other learners thus leading to…

This study compared the success of traditionally prepared student teachers with contextually prepared students from Project Opportunity, which was designed to develop a sense of community among student teachers and between student teachers and college faculty and the faculty, staff, and students of partner schools. Groups of students were surveyed…

This paper examines the importance of the electronic community and its conversation for educators. Highlights include: (1) connections in electronic communities, including listservs, World Wide Web-based discussion groups, and the "conversational web"; (2) cyber-collaborative learning, including virtual classrooms, developing student…

Examines the need for teacher reflection as schools involve teachers in management and governance, describing efforts at social self-reflection in preservice and inservice education. Includes a case study where social self-reflection highlights a successful match between a new teacher's personal integrity and her professional setting. Considers…

Describes LM-NET, a listserv discussion group designed primarily for school library media specialists. The listserv's background, growth, uses, users, and future developments are covered. Special features include instructions for accessing past discussions. Sidebars present sample LM-NET messages and subscription and retrieval information. (KRN)

On September 27, 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson established the National Advisory Commission on Rural Poverty. To this commission, he delegated the responsibility of making a comprehensive study and appraisal of the current economic situations and trends in American rural life. In fulfilling this responsibility, the National Advisory Commission…

The materials consist of four lessons each at grade levels 3-5, designed for use by both Russian bilingual and English-monolingual teachers in general and special education. The lessons are cross-referenced to learning and performance standards established for New York City (New York) public schools. Each unit (group of grade-level lessons)…

This paper considers the question of faculty as "community." The study examined community-building efforts at one institution, which had been initiated in response to negative outside judgment about faculty effectiveness and that threatened the continued existence of the teacher preparation program. A "community committee" survey asked 32 faculty…

This paper presents a case study focusing on community among students in a distance learning program, the Syracuse University (New York) Master of Library Science-Independent Study Degree Program (MLS-ISDP). During July 1998, the researcher conducted interviews with Syracuse University faculty and staff involved in developing and administering the…

This kit provides a summary of a scholarly paper, discussion questions, and activities to promote constructive debate between scholars and ethnic and minority groups about the changing role of the neighborhood in American society. The materials focus on the Chicago area, but the issues and problems apply to any urban area. The paper traces the…

This paper describes a program initiated by teacher-researchers to increase the use and knowledge of appropriate social skills with junior high school students while working in academic cooperative groups. The target groups comprised sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students in a predominantly middle class community in the Midwest. The students'…

Describes the California Indian Subject Specialist librarians, a voluntary organization that uses electronic mail to conduct its work and to build community. The potential of computer-mediated communication to build community among Native Americans is discussed. Information about the development of a global network for indigenous peoples is given.…

Proposes a social studies curriculum framework based on Ervin Laszlo's life philosophy. Stresses developing appreciation of global human interdependence through religion, community, empathy, and equality, and fusing these values into political realities. Asserts it is the particular responsibility of social studies education to meet this…

Discusses language in the context of human development and civilization, examining a limitless field of studies and observations including the absorbent mind, the acquisition of language and grammatical structure, the linguistic capacity for abstract thought, the power of language and world community, the role of language and human uniqueness, and…