This study examined the effects of instruction in aesthetic principles and technical skills on aesthetic and technical qualities of fourth and fifth graders' photographs. Results indicate children receiving technical and aesthetic instruction produced photographs rated as having improved more on aesthetic qualities than those by students receiving…

The central policy issue in the elitist-populist controversy is what works of art are to be included in curricula. Elitists defend the choice of exemplary pieces of art as instructional materials; populists find this advocacy of exemplars restrictive. How the choice of aesthetic exemplars constitutes a curriculum issue is discussed. (RM)

Apparently positive behaviors, such as praise, help-giving and pity, may indicate low estimation of ability to the student, and blame, relative neglect, and anger may be perceived by the recipient as high estimations of ability. These behaviors influence recipient self-perception and determine expectations, affective reactions and performance.…

A study compared moral reasoning patterns of 17 violent children (ages 10-13) with emotional and behavioral disorders and their aggressive parents to matched controls. When presented with family and peer violence scenarios, the violent children and parents referred more to rules prohibiting provocation rather than to rules prohibiting physical…

Reports findings of a questionnaire-based study of graduates of the Diploma in Library and Information Studies at the University of Botswana (Africa) regarding their practical placement experience. Discusses perceived value of the practical placement, problems relating to the management of the program, inadequate supervision, and suggestions for…

Reviews studies examining differences in moral schema development, using techniques that range from measuring implicit knowledge (such as the defining issues test) and explicit knowledge (such as with the moral judgment interview). Finds significant differences in the comprehension of moral narratives based on age/education and level of expertise.…

The value of "shibusa," a concept of Japanese aesthetics, is explored for Canadian educators confronted with a "high tech" society. The qualities of shibusa--simplicity, implicitness, modesty, silence, naturalness, roughness, and normalcy--have many implications for the Canadian educator. (SLD)

Describes a study that was conducted to examine the perceptions of the graduates of FernUniversitat about the acceptance of their distance education degrees by themselves, their employers, their colleagues, and academics at conventional universities; and to study their perceptions of the value of their degrees in the employment market. (LRW)

An optimistic view of the potential of evaluation to be a force for social improvement is presented. The most important unfinished task for evaluation may be to expand the logic of value judgments. In addition, the social usefulness of evaluation will depend on its credibility and the professionalism of evaluators. (SLD)

Underlines two major differences between moral judgments and moral behavior. For behavior, the moral situation is construed from an observer's perspective after the event and typically involves conflicts between moral and other kinds of pressures. For judgment, the situation is interpreted from the self's perspective in advance and often involves…

Comments on the issues introduced by Saltzstein (PS 522 554) in this issue. Elaborates on Saltzstein's proposed social cognitive factors that may account for discrepancies between moral reasoning and action, highlighting strengths and weaknesses. (AA)

Examined children's obligatory moral judgments, which reflect a moral requirement, and discretionary moral judgments, which reflect moral worthiness but not a requirement. Children were interviewed in response to three stories that entailed positive and negative morality. Results showed that moral acts conceived of by children as being obligatory…

The role of narrative and dramatic processes in mediating and shaping both moral judgment and moral action, two processes central to moral development, is examined. The notion of the "moral audience," in which individuals seem to rehearse, review, and redefine their moral actions, is proposed and illustrated. (LB)

Examined differences in moral judgments as they relate to informational assumptions. Sixth graders, high school seniors, and college students evaluated events concerning welfare, justice, and rights and reevaluated them in light of the opposite information. The relation between evaluations and informational assumptions was significant within each…

Discusses personal computer price trends since 1986; describes offerings and prices for four direct-market suppliers, i.e., Dell CompuAdd, PC Brand, and Gateway 2000; and discusses overall value and price/performance ratios. Tables and graphs chart value over time. (EA)