Discusses the importance of matching informal learning projects to the cultural contexts of participants. One way to analyze and understand a culture is to examine how it distinguishes itself from others in terms of relationships with people, time, and nature. Presents relevant factors to consider within each of these dimensions. Introduces "Prime…

Describes a project that uses essays to supplement or supplant the traditional methods of teaching science at the high school level. Presents two examples of essays used, the rationale for using them, and suggestions for implementing this project in the high school science classroom. (JRH)

At 27, Sandra McBrayer founded an alternative school, now called "The Place", for homeless 12- to 19- year olds in San Diego. Having received the 1994 Teacher of the Year Award, she discusses her inspirations, motivations, and plans for the future in this interview. (JPS)

Points to the promising application of service learning for students in alternative education. Discusses basic steps for incorporating service learning into the curriculum. Offers examples of such projects. (SR)

This response to an article by Hyland refutes reservations about educational credit accumulation and transfer schemes and suggests the need for tangible rewards and the personalized ownership of knowledge, skills, and values that credits represent. (SK)

Describes how professional dancers looking ahead to other careers can earn a B.A. in a St. Mary's College of California program tailored to their demanding schedules--Liberal Education for Arts Professionals (LEAP). (EV)

Describes StarNet, an organization that provides distance learning credit courses to schools and students. Provides tips on screening students, selecting a classroom facilitator, and how to organize for the next school year. (CCM)

The quality of a country's human-resource base can be said to determine its level of success in social and economic development. This study focuses on some of the major human-resource development issues that surround the implementation of South Africa's policy of multilingualism in education. It begins by discussing the relationship between…

The Simon Property Group, United States' largest mall developer, since 1998 has partnered with local public school systems to open 19 alternative public schools in malls in 11 states through its nonprofit Simon Youth Foundation. Lafayette Square's school, with a 200-student capacity is the newest and largest, which according to a watchdog group,…

As is the case in any country there is a constant search to improve the mathematics offerings presented to school-goers in South Africa. The activity surrounding this search was intensified after the attainment of democracy. The primary aim of this search was to establish a mathematics curriculum that would result in productive learning and the…

Without appropriate education, American workers are hampered in their ability to have the requisite technical skills needed to participate fully and effectively in the modern workforce. Higher education as a system must develop programs and infrastructures that ensure adult learners receive postsecondary education, including at the baccalaureate…

Purpose: The paper aims to explore the stages involved in the school establishment phase and detect differences between new and innovative schools startup. Design/methodology/approach: The exploratory study was conducted on the creation phase of two Israeli elementary schools: one new and one innovative. The data were collected through interviews…

This study examined Illinois high school principals' perceptions of the growth, quality, advantages and disadvantages of alternative learning environments. In this study, alternative learning environments involved the use of both synchronous and asynchronous modes of communication for course delivery. Synchronous modes of instructional delivery…

High schools have been described as potent breeding grounds of alienation and boredom (Bronfenbrenner, 1974; Furrer & Skinner, 2003; Marks, 2000) while recent literature has focused on student-teacher relationships and the importance of pedagogies of care (Noddings, 1992; Wentzel & Looney, 2006). This paper examines the link between social…

This study examined 259 master's theses in the field of educational technology completed in Turkey during 2000-2007. The results suggested that quantity and quality of educational technology research varied according to years and universities. A great majority of the theses employed quantitative paradigm, and qualitative studies made about one…