Notes that lateral thinking is represented by the person who is able to exhibit exploratory behavior, while vertical thinkers take the most reasonable view of a situation and then proceed logically and carefully to work it out. Much of education and teacher education in particular reflects vertical thinking. (Author/AM)

Argues that the British Government's National Curriculum document contains conflicting messages, particularly regarding "relevant education" and "cross curricular learning." Points out what the author considers to be puzzling contradictions and confusions operating within the government's own ideology and educational aims. (TW)

Identifies land degradation as Australia's most urgent environmental problem and recommends the development of a land ethic for soil conservation. Presents a 15-point conservation education plan that encourages a sustainable ecological basis for rural production and also cultivates ecologically sound habits toward nature. (ML)

Educational research always implicitly subscribes to moral and philosophical commitments. It is always value-laden because research methods entail a commitment to some educational philosophy. To accept that philosophy and values cannot be expunged from educational research is not to concede that educational research cannot be a scientific pursuit.…

High technology is a valuable educational tool, not a goal. Therefore, implementation must accord with primary purposes of education. An approach is described based on seven critical assumptions about education for the information age, followed by plans derived from these assumptions. (TE)

Outlining procedures involved in arriving at a newly adopted curriculum for the Oak Park, Illinois, high school of which he is the associate principal in charge of instruction, the author argues the importance of developing a comprehensive vision of educational priorities before considering specific curricular components. (JBM)

Although "The Paideia Proposal" (1982) has been "all but totally eclipsed" by other recent publications on school reform, the Paideia Group's painstaking, unified, long-range approach (expanded on in its newly published second volume, "Paideia Problems and Possibilities," and the remaining volume, to be released later…

Dealing with the results of an advanced stage of a three-year-study, this contribution is aimed at a detailed recognition of some areas of school operation, identified earlier by a preliminary research. Five areas, or subjects, are analyzed: consent in main principles of school operation, creation and attainment of a path the school is to walk on…

This monograph contains a brief description of secondary education in Slovenia. Slovenia, one of the youngest European states, recognized by the international community in 1992, is one of the smallest European countries. This report was prepared on the basis of available documents, statistical data, and research reports as well as existing…

This digest in Spanish examines schools' dress-code policies and discusses the legal considerations and research findings about the effects of such changes. Most revisions to dress codes involve the use of uniforms, typically as a way to curb school violence and create a positive learning environment. A recent survey of secondary school principals…

Parents and schools working together to build students' social, emotional, and academic skills can accomplish far more than either group working alone. Both schools and parents can contribute in unique ways to make the partnership fruitful. Handouts included with this packet offer small things that all parents can consider doing. When done on a…

Instructional designers need to be able to understand and apply virtual reality to enrich learners' experiences. This paper examines the nature of virtual reality, how it applies to education, and rationales for using virtual reality in the classroom. The following instructional design guidelines for helping instructional designers to create a new…

This paper addresses the improvement of instruction at the higher education level by the application of nine principles of learning by the instructor. These are: (1) the instructor should secure the interests of students in teaching and learning situations; (2) the instructor must guide students to perceive meaning in what is being learned; (3)…

This qualitative study examined preschool programs for 6-year-olds in Sweden and the principles underlying children's activities. Ten preschool groups including preschool teachers, student teachers, and children were interviewed about their conceptions of content and methods of working in preschool. The results showed that the program is founded…

This digest examines schools' dress-code policies and discusses the legal considerations and research findings about the effects of such changes. Most revisions to dress codes involve the use of uniforms, typically as a way to curb school violence and create a positive learning environment. A recent survey of secondary school principals found that…