Contextual learning--also known as "learning by doing, experiential learning, real-world education, or active learning"--has long been advocated for students. In practice, however, schools often offer the opposite: individual learning, independent of tools, dependent upon symbols, and theoretical. Today the school-to-work movement has…

These three papers were presented at a symposium on evaluation issues on human resource development (HRD) moderated by Hallie Preskill at the 1996 conference of the Academy of Human Resource Development. "Designing an Effective 360-Degree Appraisal Feedback Process" (David Antonioni) presents a conceptual model for a 360-degree appraisal feedback…

These three papers were presented at a symposium on high-involvement work teams moderated by Michael Leimbach at the 1996 conference of the Academy of Human Resource Development. "Beyond Training to the New Learning Environment: Workers on the High-Involvement Frontline" (Joseph Anthony Ilacqua, Carol Ann Zulauf) shows the link between…

These two papers were presented at a symposium on instructional technology in human resource development (HRD) moderated by Mark Lewis at the 1996 conference of the Academy of Human Resource Development. "An Analysis of the Instructional Technology Competencies Required by HRD Practitioners and Sources of Competency Development" (Julie…

This document consists of four papers presented at a symposium on core directions in human resource development (HRD) moderated by Verna Willis at the 1996 conference of the Academy of Human Resource Development. "Reengineering the Organizational HRD Function: Two Case Studies" (Neal Chalofsky) reports an action research study in which…

The research literature on the preparation of young people for work proves that policy recommendations are based on two false premises--academic skills are good substitutes for occupation-specific skills and increases in job turnover and skill obsolescence rates have caused a decline in the return to occupation-specific training by schools.…

This report presents the views expressed at the Labor/Higher Education Council's National Meeting, the theme of which was "Education and Work: Redefinitions and New Strategies." Section 1 includes two keynote speeches: "Priorities for Economic Investment in People, Technology, and Public Works" (Ira Magaziner) and "Organized Labor's Stake in the…

U.S. business and government are managing an increasingly heterogeneous work force. Between 1985 and 2000, white females, nonwhites, and immigrants are projected to represent 88 percent of new workers. Approximately 4 million new immigrant workers will join the work force during the next 10 years. Therefore, it is imperative that employers…

This report presents findings of a study of the theoretical and practical methods of access to continuing vocational training. It summarizes six reports that compare the following: the construction sector in Spain, France, Italy, and Luxembourg; the banking, insurance, commerce, and administration sectors in Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, and…

This monograph describes the various approaches to vocational training in Ireland. The report was compiled from existing statistics, various studies, and interviews with representatives of all the organizations, colleges, companies, and institutes involved in vocational training. Section 1 provides background information on political structures,…

This paper examines the pace of economic and social change in the Pacific Rim region, discussing the role that universities should play in mediating such change. It addresses five major issues pertaining to the role of universities: (1) the individual university's role in human resource development; (2) the relationship between universities and…

The skill needs of 3,500 Wisconsin employers were surveyed by mail (1,850 usable returns) and by telephone those of 102 of these employers (93 percent response). Findings included the following: (1) most employers face an increasing shortage of skilled workers; (2) employees tend to be deficient in basic skills; (3) employers are striving for…

In September 1991, the State Board of Community Colleges of North Carolina revised this report on the critical success factors for the state's community college system. The six factors examined in the report are quality, access, education continuum, workforce development, community services, and program management and accountability. The report…

A study examined the changes that occurred in the program offering mixes and outcomes of Massachusetts' Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) and secondary vocational education programs between 1987 and 1993. Most Massachusetts vocational programs experienced sharp declines in numbers of graduates between 1987 and 1991; however, the distribution and…

To address a regional shortage of registered nurses (RN's), a special transition course was developed at the North Harris Montgomery Community College District in Houston, Texas, to allow licensed vocational nurses to articulate into the second year of a two-year Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program. Students completing the ADN program are…