This brochure, in a question-and-answer format, provides basic information about learning disabilities for faculty at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The questions address such topics as the definition of a learning disability, diagnostic criteria, documentation criteria, verifying the legitimacy of a student's request for…

Among the reasons for growth in family literacy programs are the expansion of knowledge about how children learn, the need to involve parents and families more directly in programs for young children, and evidence supporting the relationship between parental education levels and children's school success. Intergenerational literacy programs are…

This issue describes promising research and development in the use of universal design principles to ensure curriculum access. It defines universal design and describes the differences between universal design and assistive technology. The activities of the Center for Applied Special Technology, the National Center to Improve the Tools of…

Because of the increasing diversity of ethnic, cultural, religious, and socioeconomic groups in public schools, the preparation of teachers for multiethnic, multicultural settings is a critical issue facing teacher educators. This study investigated preservice early childhood education students' definitions of multicultural education, sources of…

This paper explores whether new information technologies are appropriate for use with young children. The paper concentrates on theories related to young children's use of "new media." Sections are: (1) "Defining the New Media by Its Functions"; (2) "Constructivism and Interaction with New Media"; (3) "The…

The SAT Program undertook two studies aimed at evaluating the impact of allowing students to indicate more than one ethnic/racial category. Results of this study indicated that there is little impact on DIF [differential item functioning] analyses when different definitions of ethnic/racial classifications are used compared to traditionally…

The history of liberal education in the United States is a reflection of U.S. History. Among the influences on its existence and development are the needs of the church and of science, the rise of specialization, changing campus life-styles, and the need to correct and build on secondary education. (MSE)

Defines boredom, identifies the conditions in which boredom flourishes, and presents a series of suggestions for instructional design strategies that deal with boredom before it becomes an educational problem. An outline--indicating the importance of novelty, surprisingness, incongruity, and uncertainty in averting boredom--and a reference list…

Discusses the active contribution a learner/user must make in using a dictionary and breaks the look-up process into seven main steps. (EKN)

Defines computer literacy, reviews the potential applications of computers as educational aids, and discusses the major areas of competence required of teachers who will deal with computers in an instructional setting--either as users or as programers. (JL)

A review of the literature addressing the subject of faculty workload under three topics is presented: (1) defining faculty workload; (2) elements of faculty workload and their relative weighting; and (3) faculty load formulas. Five "load laws" to be observed in the design of a faculty workload system are detailed. (MLW)

Discusses the meaning and objectives of global education and presents recommendations for expanding the global dimension of the K-12 social studies curriculum. Cultural diversity and interdependence should be emphasized to prepare students to become effective participants in future world affairs (AM).

Citing William Spady's distinction between capacity and competence, the author asserts that current competency tests mainly measure academic (capacity) not life (competency) skills. He then considers problems inherent in delineating, teaching, and testing essential practical living competencies and presents some alternatives. Part of a theme issue…

Analyzed is the change in policies for the education of minorities in England and Wales since 1966; various concepts of cultural change; assumptions about the unchangeability of cultures; some theories regarding race relations, cultural assimilation, and racial discrimination; and what is likely to happen in the majority of educational…

Discusses the disparity between social problems and problem solving as practiced in sociology theory and in the classroom. Problem definition is lacking due to fuzziness in this area historically. Recommends emphasis on student problem identification, integration of knowledge, and decision-making skills. (CK)