Describes the development processes of an instructional video for use in a course offered through the Extended Learning Institute of Northern Virginia Community College entitled Women Writers II. Characterizes the process of transforming this English course from a print-based to a distance-learning course as time-consuming, creative, and…

Discusses alternative programs and schools visited by the Hispanic Dropout Project. Notes a pervasive "disconnect" between alternative programs and "regular" schools, and outlines lessons alternative programs have to offer traditional schools. (SR)

A study at the University of Oregon examined distance education, looking at the demographics of the distance-education market, the types of courses best suited to it, and student performance as it related to demographic group. The study found that although certain students do well, it questioned whether there were sufficient numbers of students to…

Describes the steps necessary for changing a traditional graduate course into a Web-based course. Discusses the three stages of Web-based instruction: design, development, and delivery. Outlines methods of assessing student achievement. Primary characteristic needed by the instructor was flexibility during the entire process. (AEF)

In Japan, not attending public school is stigmatized, and alternative education is in its infancy. Reviews free spaces, which are not schools, but places for traumatized students to recover; home schooling networks; government-approved independent alternative schools; alternative after-school programs; and innovative programs within the system.…

Describes the San Carlos Charter Learning Center, a K-8 school chartered by the San Carlos, California, school district to be a research and development site. It has successfully shared practices in multi-age groupings, interdisciplinary instruction, parents as teachers, and staff evaluation. The article expands on the school's challenges and…

Examines experiences of Park College (Missouri) (Park University as of January 1, 2000) in developing an online distance learning program that serves more than 1,700 students per term worldwide. Discusses the pilot course; first terms online; motivations and preconditions necessary for success; profit/nonprofit perspective; leadership; types of…

An Anglo faculty member remembers the early years of Navajo Community College, now Dine College, on the Navajo Reservation. Student-led inquiry circles differentiated the curriculum from those of other colleges and explored areas that the faculty, especially Anglo teachers, would not have. The board of regents was more involved than is customary,…

Surveyed and interviewed Australian preservice home economics teachers who volunteered to teach food preparation skills to disadvantaged youth in detention centers. Results indicated that preservice teachers considered the detention center context a worthwhile site for further developing existing teacher competencies, providing them with…

Argues that the reason computers have failed to become central to education is that they offer no added value to the traditional "factory-model" school of today. Outlines changes that must be made in goals of schooling, standards, accountability, intellectual diversity, and new structures. Discusses shift of values from standardization to…

This chart describes high school completion rates for the United States for 18- through 24-year olds not currently enrolled in high school or lower grades. The 85.3% completion rate represented 77.9% of students with a diploma and 7.4% with an alternative completion. Completion rates are given by gender, race/ethnicity, family income, and…

Applied learning projects at George Middle School (Portland, Oregon) include landscaping the school courtyard, helping scientists study pollution in the Columbia Slough, inventorying wildlife around Portland lakes, studying urban ecosystems and sharing information in Spanish with Mexican schools, and planting trees. Describes other school…

Distance education will be in demand as the need for trained teachers in India in the near future will be greater than the availability of conventional training. Suggestions for ensuring quality in distance teacher-education are offered, and three practice teaching plans (i.e., Brunel, itinerant faculty, and cooperative) are described. (AEF)

This study examined reactions of 26 primary school teachers of Gwalior district, Madhya Pradesh (India) to a teacher-training program offered via interactive television. Data were collected related to contents and their presentation, interaction between experts and participants, technology-related matters, and activities at the training center.…

Describes findings gathered from evaluation of the University of Central Florida's distributed learning system with respect to student demographics, perceptions, success strategies, learning styles, and success/withdrawal rates. Discusses how classes featuring reduced face-to-face presence, combined with Web-based instruction, produce superior…