An analysis of the massive amount of literature pertaining to the improvement of professional instruction in dental education resulted in the formation of a comprehensive model of 10 categories, including Delphi technique; systems approach; agencies; workshops; multi-media, self-instruction; evaluation paradigms, measurement, courses, and…

To explore the hypothesized dimensionality of teachers' attitudes toward educational innovations, nine rating scales were validated to measure general change-related values; innovation-specific attitudes and behavioral orientation; adoption of innovations; attitudinal commitment to adopted innovations; and ongoing participation in change-related…

Describes an innovative teaching project that was implemented for training technology teachers in Australia. Presents a rationale for using a problem-based learning collaborative methodology in technology teacher training. Also includes the program evaluation results. Contains 17 references. (DDR)

Describes an interdisciplinary course team taught by instructors from the sociology and drama departments. The course used dramatic literature to complement and illustrate sociological works examining such basic concepts as economic dislocation, racism, and deviance. Includes a table of the sociological works and their dramatic counterparts. (MJP)

Advocates that geography teachers undertake field studies of human systems with their students. Describes a learning process in which teachers take students to a human system (supermarket, hotel) and guide them through exploration and analysis of the system with the goal of building skills that can transfer to other geographic tasks. (MJP)

Maintains that although women's history has made great strides in the university environment, it remains peripheral in elementary and secondary education. Suggests feasible strategies to incorporate this subject into the curriculum. Includes Peggy McIntosh's "Five Phases of Curricular Re-Vision with Regards to Gender 1983." (MJP)

Argues that with a little creativity and some scrounged materials, social studies teachers can construct interesting games and activities. Provides examples of games and a lesson plan teaching responsibility through a group construction. Profiles an instructional materials center that collects and distributes donated materials. (MJP)

Examines three learning models and proposes matching the most popular technologies to the best classroom practices. Paradigm One plots the most effective information technologies (ITs) for proponents of active learning and teachers with independent student thinkers; Paradigm Two reveals productive uses of ITs for teacher-centered and…

Describes the development and function of Western Governors University, a virtual university, and its implications for the role of the community college. Recommends that community colleges continue to develop the capacity to provide electronic instruction. Suggests that partnerships between virtual universities and community colleges will be…

The Finnish Minister of Education and Science discusses what national authorities in most contexts expect of higher education, with some attention given to the Finnish context. Issues examined include innovation, expansion of educational opportunity, demands for educational quality and relevance, research priorities and quality, responsibility for…

Describes an exploratory study that attempted to discover the patterns of linguistic interaction of second language learners in a computerized literary reading environment and the implication of using computer books in an ESL (English-as-a-Second-Language) elementary school classroom. (LRW)

Surveyed reactions of experienced primary teachers to the educational changes mandated by the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA) and whether these changes affected teacher retirement decisions. Responses indicated concern over the primary school program components of multiage grouping, no retention/no promotion, and increased mainstreaming. KERA…

Teachers in kindergarten through grade three, nominated as effective literacy teachers, were surveyed twice about their practices. Responses indicated teacher commitment to: similar instruction for all abilities, with additional support for weaker readers; literate classroom environments; modeling and teaching of both lower- and higher-order…

Describes the implementation of a project to prepare mentor and student teachers to teach mathematics and science through the integration of multimedia technology and pedagogy. Evaluation of project training and implementation found that student teachers were better prepared to integrate technology and that mentor teachers changed how they taught…

Describes a preservice teacher education course dealing with rural education, based on contemporary learning theories and delivered through telematics at an Australian university. Students learned about teaching and learning with telematics through being taught with telematics and through independent learning activities. Outcomes and findings…