Nowadays, children and teenagers use technology products in an increasingly passive way. As simple consumers they cannot benefit from the opportunities of designing technology, which has a learning value. Educational Robotics (ER) programs are particularly effective in delivering contents of difficult disciplines: they can re-establish a balance…

This article presents a qualitative evaluation methodology of academic departments for library organizational learning and library enhancement planning. This evaluation used campus units' academic program review reports as a data source and employed collaborative content analysis by library liaisons to extract departmental strengths, weaknesses,…

This paper is about a design-based research project which evaluated the novel use of Lesson Study for assessment (LSfA) purposes. It starts by explaining the principles and design of LSfA procedures based on a Lesson Study model and dynamic assessment principles. It outlines the training and support provided to six Lesson Study teams in three…

This paper brings task-based language teaching (TBLT) curriculum development principles into the blended learning context, presenting processes and outcomes from a project to develop a task-based thematic unit--asking and giving directions--in a hybrid web-based university-level class focused on listening and speaking skills in Mandarin Chinese.…

The Bottoms Up/Tops Down approach to evaluating employee performance encourages employees to seek appraisal and, at the same time, expects managers and supervisors to conduct a performance appraisal interview with each employee. The processes involved in this approach to performance appraisal and its value in determining training needs are…

Workplace-based educational programs are not new. Recent perceptions of a national literacy crisis and the need for a competitive workforce, however, have resulted in the development of new programs across the country, many of which provide literacy and language training for nonnative English speakers. This digest focuses on the reasons for…

Describes the goals, the selection criteria, and the selection process of the Elementary Private School Recognition Program. Includes a listing, by states, of the 60 private elementary schools selected for 1985-86 recognition. (IW)

Describes how the Dallas Independent School District uses the research and development concept of context evaluation to help direct changes in instructional systems, materials, and methodology. (Author/JG)

This manual describes a guidance management system which utilizes techniques necessary to identify, plan, implement, control, and assess guidance program activities and services in relation to the school district's changing needs and guidance policy formulation. To be responsive to existing contraints and potentialities within the public school…

Describes a process that measures the varying performance of county mental health systems in achieving goals. Performance and relative need are then used to make differential allocation of state funds for services. The process reinforces attempts to meet goals, and has lowered the gap in per capita funding. (Author/JAC)

Numerous studies indicate that climate, the prevailing "feeling" of the environment, not only contributes to behavioral and situational outcomes, but that climate can be changed to help bring about the behaviors and outcomes desired. Researchers have identified characteristics of positive school climates and ways of determining the…

This document describes the development of a Wisconsin state plan for career education. First, the profile of the proposal is presented. Next, the major activities are described, including formation of the advisory group; needs assessment of students, educational staff, and community groups; identification of resources; and the development of…

This booklet is one of eight developed both as resource guides to assist Wisconsin public schools in offering qualtiy reading instruction and as models for improvement where there is a need for change. This fifth booklet suggests a model to use in planning a local Right to Read program that includes the following steps: commitment to begin…

Reports on the Locally-Directed Evaluation Project which had the goal of improving educational offerings within local education agencies (LEA's) through more effective evaluation procedures, and systemizing several activities which LEA personnel conduct to aid in planning and decision-making. (TA)

Describes a management-oriented system for the evaluation of educational programs for gifted children in public schools. Referred to as the Program Analysis and Review System, the approach comprises three sequential steps of program specification, documentation, and outcome determination, which are discussed in detail. (MBR)