Despite frequently expressed reservations concerning its fundamental theoretical weakness, distributed leadership (DL) has grown to become the preferred leadership concept and has acquired taken-for-granted status. This article suggests that the dominance of DL can best be understood as a fashion or fad rather than as a rational choice. It…

For the last few decades, leadership standards have served as a de facto "recommended curriculum" for preparation programs in the United States. In this article, we: (1) share the new National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) standards, (2) present the literature supporting the standards, and (3) critically assess the influence…

One of the greatest challenges in education today is to adapt and respond to a linguistically and culturally diverse world, and to combat social disintegration and discrimination. Participatory and collaborative action research represents an empowering and emancipatory approach to this challenge because the "target groups" become…

An online survey of early childhood education (ECE) trainers was conducted to assess their professional development needs and determine any differences between new and experienced trainers. Trainers identified teaching techniques and resources commonly used. The survey information is guiding the development of ECE trainer criteria in a…

The role of educational technologies in improving educational practices and outcomes has been criticized as over-hyped and insignificant. With few exceptions, the state of education has changed less than expected as a result of tools such as computers and the Internet. To a considerable degree, this is due to the minor role educational technology…

Three issues emanating from the Bulterman-Bos article (2008) form the core of this commentary. First, the issue of relevancy is addressed from the standpoint of action research and other forms of practitioner inquiry. From this perspective, the divisions between the cultures of university and school are addressed both ways: Each can potentially be…

This paper makes a case for the existence and study of the wisdom of practice by looking at educational practitioners' concepts as its locus and source. (These concepts may also be described as the accumulated "folk wisdom" of the teaching community). These communal concepts, part of an accumulated lore regarding teaching and education…

This paper introduces student-centered learning, provides examples of postsecondary student-centered learning practices, and identifies problems and issues associated with adopting, adapting, scaling, and advancing technology-based student-centered learning environments. (DB)

Describes the policy changes in early childhood development in South Africa since 1994. Examines changes in Norther Province based on discussions by a group of teacher-practitioners and highlights the actions necessary to develop and implement the policies. Discusses the methodology of the change process, with particular reference to the role of…

The purpose of this document is to twofold: First, it serves to summarize and record the content and comments from the presentations and breakout sessions during the Northeastern States NCLB/IDEA Invitational State Leadership Forum: Joining Forces: High Achievement For Each and Every Student, September 27-28, 2005. Secondly, it hopes to capture…

The goal of this book is to increase the usefulness and relevance of research to educational practice, particularly in the area of improving student learning. It proposes and describes an experiment: the establishment of a Strategic Education Research Program (SERP). The SERP plan calls for a large-scale and sharply defined program of research,…

The aim of this paper is twofold. On one hand, to shed new light on the uneasy relationship of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) with foreign language (FL) pedagogy in the past and on the other, to explore the possible contribution of CALL to FL pedagogy. The first part of this research starts with a brief description of the first CALL…