Authors bring an historical perspective to the present debate over reading achievement. From an historical examination of selected European and American models of literacy, they conclude that reading instruction has been aimed at attaining either a low level of literacy for a large number of people or a high level for an elite. (Editor/RK)

This case study examines the reform of the teaching of French in the primary schools of French-speaking Switzerland. Two major questions are examined: (1) What are the real motives for introducing a new reading methodology? and (2) How can a methodology on paper be transformed into practical action?

The first paper in this issue, "Towards a Re-examination of Learning and Teaching at Charles Sturt University" (Perry Share, Mark Farrell, Erica Smith, Jenni Brackenreg, Lesley Ballantyne, Lisa Fawkes, Michelle Dean, Mark McFadden, and Judith Parker) is a major discussion paper by a Working Party of Academic Senate at Charles Sturt…

Hard, soft, or medium? The issue involved here is not, as you might have hoped, "How do you like your eggs?" but it has to do with the equipment, content, and form of education technology. Hardware is the name in the trade for the mechanical or electronic tools and equipment; software is the material or the programs that are fed into, or…

Discussed the development of Japanese language study in Hawaii, the teaching techniques and educational facilities. (RK)

Examines the content of the methods course for teaching English. Draws implications for future teachers and suggests methods for change. (RB)

Traces the development of television as an instructional tool at Dartmouth from its beginning in 1972 through the planning, funding, and implementation phases to its extensive, successful program today. (DC)

Observations of the Chinese educational system made during a two-week tour are recounted. (LH)

Presents a common language model for understanding the literature on formative evaluation in instructional design. Identifies participants, roles, techniques, and situations, and analyzes 11 instructional design texts. The model provides a decision-making template for designing an effective formative evaluation. (AEF)

This second of a two-part article focuses on the history of instructional design in the United States. Starting with its origins during World War II, major events in the development of instructional design are described. Factors affecting the field over the last two decades, including increasing interest in cognitive psychology, microcomputers,…

Describes programs at the University of Phoenix to develop and enhance faculty effectiveness. Discusses training for first-time online courses; continuous online training (including: the Faculty Writing Workshop; Critical Thinking Across the Curriculum; Grading, Evaluation, and Feedback; Learning Teams; and other courses); faculty peer reviews;…

Discusses learning style theories and shows how being aware of learning styles can benefit both teachers and students. A case study at the University of Louisiana indicated a prevalence of auditory learners. Despite this finding, educators must be prepared to accommodate all learning styles. The research concludes with a summary of teaching…

Computer conferencing is a promising technology for use in adult education because it eliminates time and geography as barriers to learning for adults. A growing body of evidence indicates that the technology is a suitable means for delivering instruction, although a number of questions remain as to the optimum circumstances for its use. For…

The Association for Graduate Education and Research in North Texas (TAGER), interconnects nine colleges and universities over a 2,000 square mile area. Approximately 100,000 post-secondary students and about 5,000 faculty members use on-campus studio classrooms offering credit courses and other academic programs desired by member institutions. The…

This study describes various patterns of peer tutoring and is based on the use of cultural traditions and endogenous methods, on techniques and equipment acquired from other cultures, on problems presented by the adoption of educational technologies, and on methods needing little sophisticated equipment. A dozen peer tutoring systems are…