Mary Leue started the Free School, an independent, alternative elementary school in inner-city Albany (New York), based on open democratic education dedicated to the authentic lives of children. Other accomplishments include a community-investment organization, a magazine of alternative education, a magazine for empowering families, and a…

Traces the development of John Holt's educational philosophy. His initial realization that forcing children to learn stifled their initiative and creativity led to efforts at school reform that were not welcomed by the school establishment. The idea that education is a community function rather than an institutional function moved him to…

A marketing course attended by 65 on-campus students and 30 accessing it via interactive video resulted in no differences in student satisfaction. Onsite students had more problems with instructor accessibility than did offsite students, possibly because instructors overcompensated to avoid isolation of the distant learners. (SK)

Proposes a schema system based on media-attribute theory that can be used to classify both media and delivery systems based on research related to learning and motivation in distance education. Comparative studies must explain why and how the media and delivery systems were used to support learning and motivation. Contains 34 references.…

In the Science and Technology department of the University of Twente (Toegepaste Onderwijskunde, T.O., Netherlands), a revolutionary process of institutional change is occurring under the banner of C@MPUS+ initiative. The TeleTOP (Tele-Learning at T.O.) team is committed to blending the best of traditional education with new didactics and advanced…

Since 1936, this Phoenixville (Pennsylvania) school, summer day camp, and day care center for children aged 2-7 has implemented the philosophy that children learn best through play, in a nurturing environment where loving people attend to their physical and emotional needs and their intellectual and artistic growth. Contains a resource list of…

This article reviews teaching strategies expected to be effective in alternative education programs for students at risk for school failure, dropout, and delinquency. The need for alternative education programs for students in both special and general education is discussed, along with recommended alternative education strategies and program…

Considers the changing academic education landscape in light of the technology-driven Internet. Topics include alternative educational opportunities, including part-time and distance learning; additional education needed by employed workers; new competitors, including corporate universities; using technology to integrate education, work, and…

Summarizes proceedings of a 1-day seminar co-sponsored by NAMTA and Taliesin West, home of the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture. Discusses authentic progress in educational practices such as those of Maria Montessori and Wright, whose innovative legacies became traditions within their fields. Concludes that innovation comes when founding…

Describes the author's experience teaching a class of remote and isolated children using Air (broadcast) Lessons and Distance Education lesson materials. (WRM)

Highlights the important features of the University of Texas (UT) TeleCampus Master Plan, designed to support distance delivery of academic programs from all 15 UT component institutions. Discusses the student-centered learning approach; faculty issues; and the use of videoconferencing and the World Wide Web. (AEF)

Published in 1949, chapter 1 of a book by the Stelton Modern School's coprincipal discusses the natural self-directed development of creativity and intellect in children. This process is thwarted and wasted by conventional schooling's emphasis on conformity, discipline, and uniform structured activities that have no relevance to the individual…

Compared traditional teacher certification program graduates with those completing an alternative certification program, examining behavioral and teaching practice differences, the effects on their students' achievement, and their perceptions of their own teaching abilities. Data from observations, interviews, and students' achievement scores…

The Institute of Correspondence Education (ICE) of the University of Madras (India) is highly cost-effective when compared to the conventional system. The fact that a major portion of the cost is recoverable in student fees makes the ICE system more economical; however, the requisite level of resources has not been allocated for student-support…

Describes Mat-Su Alternative School (Wasilla, Alaska), which accepts dropouts age 15 to 21. School features include informal environment; small class size; comfortable teacher/student relationships; unconventional projects to engage student interest; parenting classes, day care for students' children, and other student support services; and…