The Institute of Correspondence Education (ICE) of the University of Madras (India) is highly cost-effective when compared to the conventional system. The fact that a major portion of the cost is recoverable in student fees makes the ICE system more economical; however, the requisite level of resources has not been allocated for student-support…

Investigates job satisfaction and attrition factors for music teachers through interviews of 30 music teachers within their first 10 years of teaching. Finds that teachers view three factors as essential to their well-being: (1) positive administrative support; (2) resources to do one's job; and (3) a support network, including experienced music…

Interviews with 53 policymakers, administrators, teachers, and employers in Zimbabwe revealed the extent of vocational and technical education at the secondary and postsecondary levels; inequities in resources, funding, equipment, and teacher training; and career opportunities for which trained individuals are needed. (SK)

Discusses and provides historical background on the Michigan state content standards intended to improve social studies education. Addresses the role of statewide assessment in educational reform and the challenges in assessment. Considers (1) teacher preparation to support the standards and assessment and (2) the focus upon higher order thinking…

Examines how participation in learning resources activities and perceptions of the value of learning resources affects student teachers' self, task, and impact concerns. Subjects were 173 student teachers. Results revealed high self-concerns and higher impact concerns. Utilization of learning resources had a significant effect on task concerns,…

A survey of 331 student teachers indicated that though the majority believed instructional media made contributions in their teaching practices, instructional media are not widely used. Major deterrents to media use were lack of equipment, lack of raw materials to produce instructional materials, class size, lengthy ordering procedures, and lack…

Presents selected suggestions and resources for beginning storytellers in the school library media center. Discusses selecting the stories to tell; tips for learning a story; and planning a storytelling program. Additional resources include books, World Wide Web sites, and commercial sources. (AEF)

States that the fundamental challenge to Arizona's Maricopa County Community College District is how to carry out an urban-based social agenda with scarce resources, unenthusiastic support from state-level policy shapers, and the district's own internal disagreement about mission and purpose. Discusses the programs developed by Maricopa to respond…

Outlines the pros and cons for preparing a mini-collection of school library resources in advance and for having students locate their own resources. Discusses collection use, library/information skills, and facilities management for all possibilities. (AEF)

Focuses on the strategies and forces that facilitated or constrained one large urban school system's efforts to acquire all necessary elements of the technology infrastructure to achieve their educational goals. Provides recommendations on how any government--city or state--can use its resources to facilitate full and effective use of technology…

The World Wide Web offers language teachers a new source of authentic materials. This article situates the use of Web sites in language learning within concepts of resource-based learning, offering various activities that introduce the range of resources available to teachers and students of French, including a Web browser, a range of foreign…

This issue focuses on the theme of "Energy," and describes several educational resources (Web sites, CD-ROMs and software, videos, books, activities, and other resources). Sidebars offer features on alternative energy, animal energy, internal combustion engines, and energy from food. Subthemes include harnessing energy, human energy, and…

Describes five issues that should be addressed simultaneously when using technology-enhanced instruction in the classroom: infrastructure and hardware, software, professional development, maintenance, and long-term support. Three sidebars focus on: ways to get started using technology in the classroom, tips from the trenches (how not to reinvent…

Focuses on infusing technology and instructional strategies into a school library media program, aimed at K-5 students. Discusses a tool that fosters a pre-reader's independent access to resources; a button-based Web page that introduces the Internet; the "I Wonder Project"; a graphic organizer that helps students structure the collection of…

Describes the Oregon School Library Information System (OSLIS) project to provide access to online educational resources. An information literacy framework designed to promote a leadership role for school librarians as information experts is provided in addition to the instructional gateway for accessing selected databases. There are also two…