Discusses the concept and characteristics of artificial intelligence software for information retrieval, news filtering, clerical support, personal shopping, and investment counseling. Research projects on artificial intelligence at six academic institutions and examples of nine retrieval agent software packages are highlighted. Sidebars discuss…

Common causes of program failure are failure to meet expectations; presentation method; lack of interaction time; failure to adhere to schedule; lack of applicable information; poor service; lack of assistance in implementing new ideas; failure to account for cultural diversity; content already known; and failure to give presenters information…

Computerized pupil transportation systems offer promising benefits to school districts. Outlines ways school administrators can select the right product by following some traditional business approaches. (MLF)

Notes on planning for successful parent and family weekend programs at colleges and universities include discussion of the event's purpose, scheduling, use of a planning committee, funding, effective promotion, attention to program detail, tailoring programs to subgroups and target populations, event ideas, and family involvement in other campus…

Presents results of a study comparing Georgia college students' scores on a test for economic understanding with scores of high school students. Compares scores by university and also by demographic information. Concludes that there is significant advantage in taking economics at the senior grade level in high school. (DK)

Discusses results of a 1989-90 survey of 70 randomly selected international schools and 70 randomly selected Department of Defense Schools in Europe. Programs and practices surveyed included enrollments, grade organization, curriculum and instructional plans, core subjects, grouping patterns, exploratory courses, advisory programs, and scheduling.…

Examines obstacles students face in attending English-as-a-Second-Language literacy programs and reviews some alternatives. It is suggested that organizations need to identify more precisely the groups for whom they are developing programs prior to setting up classes. (12 references) (Author/LB)

Presents suggestions for creating a classroom environment where young children's thinking and reasoning processes are supported. Discusses organizing time blocks for predictability and flexibility and organizing the physical space, including providing access to work spaces and access to materials. (KB)

Examines the O'Banion model of academic advising, used for over 20 years, and presents a variation that is both nonlinear and holistic. Applying O'Banion's five dimensions (exploration of life goals, exploration of vocational goals, program choice, course choice, scheduling options) to two case studies, the authors demonstrate how advisors and…

Two factors are fueling college faculty interest in at-home sabbaticals: the rise of the two-career family, and technological advances that allow faculty to communicate with colleagues from home. Critics feel that to take full advantage of sabbatical leave, faculty should leave the home area. One institution has created a seven-week sabbatical for…

Principals can ensure stakeholders that a block schedule will provide enhanced teaching and learning opportunities for raising student achievement when implemented with adequate instructional planning and attention to teachers' instructional needs and students' academic needs. Success depends on the master schedule, training opportunities,…

Hiring increasing numbers of paraeducators can provide additional learning support and a linguistic/cultural link to the community. However, such personnel may have frenetic schedules, responsibilities divided among several schools, and inadequate supervision and communication links. Recommendations for principals, teachers, and bilingual…

Presents a method for flexible instructional development which aims at assisting the educational designers in the development of modules that are easily adaptable to different learners' needs and allow learners' choices and different delivery platforms, including distance education. (AEF)

Describes the collaboration between a third-year high school teacher and a seasoned education professor, in which the two traded places, coteaching each other's classes for the entire school year. Discusses getting started, what they expected and what they learned, long-term individual effects of collaboration, ensuring success, and collaboration…

College and university fund raisers are encouraged to test various strategies for direct-mail solicitation by comparing variations of five factors that influence direct mail response: copy; timing; package; offer; and list. Suggestions include forming a hypothesis, testing one variable at a time, choosing test and control groups carefully,…