A survey of coordinators and tutors in 50 adult-literacy programs in western Canada examined program activities involving writing; amount and type of instruction devoted to writing; and staff attitudes about the value of writing in the program, their own writing skills, potential of writing as a self-development tool, and professional-development…

Asserts that effective leadership training for chairs needs to be situated in realistic contexts. Encourages development of chair-training programs that incorporate the actual experiences of practitioners. Analyzes the results of a survey that examines chair duties and responsibilities. (VWC)

Character education builds community by establishing a set of core values that match a school's ideals. Character-education proponents should inspire teachers to discuss ethics in their daily activities and model transformational/transactional leadership styles. Leaders must know their environment, formalize an infrastructure, involve others, and…

Presents an evaluation of a multimedia training program, supported by a videoconference link, for senior secondary school staff in the use of a computer-based management information system and the subsequent impact on the school organization. Discusses change strategies, implementation, and implications for the design and delivery of professional…

Examined student teachers' views about the influence of contributions from university professors, cooperating teachers, and other student teachers on their professional development. Journals of 16 student teachers show the meaningful roles of cooperating teachers and university supervisors. The quality of dialogue maintained during the practicum…

This article describes a collaborative partnership between universities and schools designed to facilitate the work of both special and general educators instructing students at risk of reading failure. It discusses how teachers integrated this professional development in early literacy into teaching practices, and describes instructional…

A 2-year study on the shortage of personnel serving children with visual impairments found a need for 5,000 teachers and 10,000 orientation and mobility specialists. Proposed action steps include preparing new and existing personnel, preparing new leaders and researchers, and expanding the capacity to recruit new and retain existing personnel.…

Discusses the findings of a recently completed British Library project which sought to enable information professionals to develop and enhance their careers by identifying a framework of transferable skills. Highlights include professional isolation; the Library Association Framework for Continuing Professional Development; mentors and learning…

Explores the use of an institutionally-sponsored program of reflective teaching (RT) activities at a university-based intensive English program in the United States. The activities are analyzed in terms of their function not only as a means of teacher development, but as a socialization mechanism for the teachers into the role and practice of…

Describes structured sharing, a training template that facilitates mutual learning and teaching among participants, tapping into the power of concurrent co-creation of performance interventions. Presents compressed instructions for conducting four structured sharing games and gives detailed instructions on one activity to try out. Provides an…

Describes a professional development seminar conducted at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville on middle school education. Discusses how the week-long seminar, featuring nationally known speakers, breakout sessions, and team problem solving, has evolved since its inception in 1981 to meet the needs of participants. Describes the seminar's…

Describes Kean University's new faculty mentoring program. Delineates a four-component model: new faculty are assigned to a qualified mentor, protege-mentor pairs are required to have regular developmental meetings, mentors and mentees must observe the other's class, and the mentors and mentees participate in a group dialogue. Provides…

Longitudinally investigated the socialization, promotion, and tenure experiences of tenure-track Holmes Scholars, examining the entrance of older, second career minority scholars into a changing profession. Data from site visits, surveys, and interviews suggest that elements of the Holmes Scholarship Network enhance research productivity and…

Announces the intention of the Association for Science Education (ASE) to assemble, record, and disseminate science teachers' professional knowledge and skills about science teaching in celebration of the organization's centenary in 2001. (WRM)

Summarizes the events that took place at the Primary Science Seminar held by the Science Teachers' Association of Western Australia (STAWA). Features instructions for seven time-related activities taught at the seminar including Sundials, Water Clock, Sand Timer, Pendulum, Tornado Timer, Marble Timer, and A Matter of Timing. (WRM)