Discusses insights from both the instructional design community and members of research groups seeking to transform typical classrooms into "learning communities," and encourages discussion among members of these two communities. Gives an overview of frameworks for instructional design, and the principles of learning communities. (71…

Establishing a software evaluation committee provides administrators with technical expertise in determining appropriate software. Committee members should include a curriculum expert, a computer expert, and a subject area teacher. (CJH)

Provides advice for graduate researchers on how to get a research project started, research committee relations, design of the research project, keeping motivated, managing time, maintaining momentum, and safeguarding mental health during the research process. It is noted that the advice would be particularly useful for the completion of doctoral…

This is a manual designed to accompany staff development sessions in which research and evaluation personnel will discuss key areas with administrators, evaluators in schools, and area office personnel. Forms and methods for assessment and reporting of pupils' progress in a local school's instructional program are illustrated. The state…

This guidebook is intended to help researchers apply for funds for research projects in distance education through the Distance Education Council of Indira Gandhi National Open University (India). The stated intent of this guidebook is to encourage system-based research; to promote in-depth studies to evaluation programs, their impact, and their…

Task forces are increasingly used in educational planning activities. Some basic functional principles pertaining to task forces are considered and followed by a description of the accomplishments of a current task force which is focusing on personnel preparation for teaching handicapped students. (CJ)

Discusses the value of using committees to assume responsibility for various areas of school board business. Provides five tips for being a good committee member and five guidelines for heading a committee. Includes discussion on dealing with problem committee members. (MD)

Agriculture and the rural economic bases in mining, fisheries, forestry, and natural resource extraction are experiencing major social and economic changes. The farm and rural crises of the 1980s are not short-term aberrations, but symptoms of long-term trends that were partially hidden by the relatively good times for agriculture and rural areas…