Suggests that bureaucratic practice can best be understood from within the Fordist framework, and that the distinction between machine and bureaucracy is no longer as significant as the distinction between bureaucracy and postbureaucracy. Notes the significance of these issues in distance education and open learning policies and practices.…

The reunification process in Germany and its effect on distance education policies and practices in the East provide an occasion to test the relevance of the Fordist framework. Discussion includes characteristics of a neo- or post-Fordist distance education system, the failure of Fordism as a theory of industrialized society, and the Fordism…

Describes one college's efforts to develop a comprehensive strategy to address the issue of increasing the number of minority teachers for its local teaching force. The college's efforts include restructuring the traditional teacher education program and enhancing overall preparation of nontraditional students with special emphasis on minorities.…

A study of 61 high school biology students found that Interactive Video Disk (IVD) simulation was as effective as actual frog dissection in promoting student learning of frog anatomy and dissection procedures. When used as a preparation for dissection, IVD simulation helped students perform better dissections and learn more from doing dissections.…

Describes the origination of the journal, "Simulation & Games" as an outgrowth of the Academic Games Project at Johns Hopkins University in the late 1960s. The Project developed simulation games, pretested them, performed teacher training, and compared the effects with traditional pedagogy. Discusses the planning and implementation…

This study analyzed how participants viewed an ongoing school-university collaboration for alternative teacher education and negotiated discontinuities. Interviews, journals, and questionnaires indicated patterns of changing roles between university faculty, cooperating teachers, and student interns. As participants negotiated common agendas, a…

Discusses the possible demise of the textbook as new technologies are introduced and notes the conditions necessary for new technologies to become feasible educational alternatives. (AEF)

Discusses the role of interactive learning techniques in educational environments. Highlights include the change in educational environments; computer uses in education; the changing educational model from knowing to learning; the interactive learning environment; and the values of learning. (AEF)

Recognizing the potential of combining interdisciplinary methods with block program scheduling to serve underachieving high schoolers, the East Manhattan Outreach Center's staff initiated such a program in 1993. Students were block-programmed, using four classes of 28 pupils each enrolled in six courses. The program stressed small-group activities…

Examines television as a means for providing multicultural education. Discusses the influence of television on children, the stereotypical message of television, how ethnic groups are portrayed, and objectives for a curriculum on television. (AEF)

Describes how videoconferencing was used at the University of Ulster (Northern Ireland) as a medium to deliver three modules to continuing education students over a five-year period. Discusses planning and implementation, and the move from conventional teaching to distance learning. Notes professional development reached an effective level and in…

Reports on programs in Western Australia where interactive educational television is being used in broadcast modes for distance education and open learning courses. Discusses the impact of the interactivity on the quality of the broadcast programs from an instructional perspective. (Author/AEF)

Discusses the way that the Open University of the Netherlands has been developing a practical natural sciences degree program, gives examples of alternatives for traditional practical work, and presents advantages and disadvantages of traditional practical work. (17 references) (Author/MKR)

Review of educational reforms in Russia under Yeltsin shows the progress of decentralization, development of alternative schools, and a trend toward educational "apartheid" based on social status and ability to pay. (SK)

Reports a study of preservice physical educators' acquisition of knowledge of a nontraditional movement approach to physical education. Interviews and field observations indicated that before student teaching their knowledge of deeper content objectives was weak. In early field experiences, students attended to aspects of the approach relevant to…