The value of "shibusa," a concept of Japanese aesthetics, is explored for Canadian educators confronted with a "high tech" society. The qualities of shibusa--simplicity, implicitness, modesty, silence, naturalness, roughness, and normalcy--have many implications for the Canadian educator. (SLD)

Describes a study that was conducted to examine the perceptions of the graduates of FernUniversitat about the acceptance of their distance education degrees by themselves, their employers, their colleagues, and academics at conventional universities; and to study their perceptions of the value of their degrees in the employment market. (LRW)

An optimistic view of the potential of evaluation to be a force for social improvement is presented. The most important unfinished task for evaluation may be to expand the logic of value judgments. In addition, the social usefulness of evaluation will depend on its credibility and the professionalism of evaluators. (SLD)

Underlines two major differences between moral judgments and moral behavior. For behavior, the moral situation is construed from an observer's perspective after the event and typically involves conflicts between moral and other kinds of pressures. For judgment, the situation is interpreted from the self's perspective in advance and often involves…

Comments on the issues introduced by Saltzstein (PS 522 554) in this issue. Elaborates on Saltzstein's proposed social cognitive factors that may account for discrepancies between moral reasoning and action, highlighting strengths and weaknesses. (AA)

Examined children's obligatory moral judgments, which reflect a moral requirement, and discretionary moral judgments, which reflect moral worthiness but not a requirement. Children were interviewed in response to three stories that entailed positive and negative morality. Results showed that moral acts conceived of by children as being obligatory…

The role of narrative and dramatic processes in mediating and shaping both moral judgment and moral action, two processes central to moral development, is examined. The notion of the "moral audience," in which individuals seem to rehearse, review, and redefine their moral actions, is proposed and illustrated. (LB)

Examined differences in moral judgments as they relate to informational assumptions. Sixth graders, high school seniors, and college students evaluated events concerning welfare, justice, and rights and reevaluated them in light of the opposite information. The relation between evaluations and informational assumptions was significant within each…

Discusses personal computer price trends since 1986; describes offerings and prices for four direct-market suppliers, i.e., Dell CompuAdd, PC Brand, and Gateway 2000; and discusses overall value and price/performance ratios. Tables and graphs chart value over time. (EA)

Investigated the relationship between 18-23 year olds' moral judgments and political choices. Surveyed 128 subjects about their perceptions of election issues, candidates, and voting intentions 2 weeks before the 1988 U.S. presidential election. Found significant relationships between subjects' moral development, as measured by the Defining Issues…

Examined the impact of contextual factors on adults' and children's tendencies to hold individuals accountable for moral and legal transgressions. Subjects were 180 adults and children in the United States and Mysore, India. Indians more frequently absolved individuals of moral accountability for breaches performed under emotional duress or by…

Explores the impact of an in-school curriculum designed to teach children 10-12 years of age to become more discriminate consumers of violent crime series seen on television. Results show children perceiving the good guys' violent actions more critically and increasing their understanding of the differences between television and real life…

Reports on two studies of adult moral development, experiences, and education: (1) a longitudinal investigation of moral judgment and reported moral experience and (2) an outcome study on the impact of a moral intervention project with adult undergraduate students. Provides some conclusions applicable to teaching adult moral development. (DSK)

Two studies examined how moral judgment and cultural ideology combine to predict moral thinking in members of a conservative church and a liberal church, and in a secular sample of university undergraduates. Found that a combination of religious ideology, political identity, and moral judgment predicted the church members' opinions on human-rights…

Investigates the intentions for and judgments about student artwork from the different perspectives of middle school students and their teachers through teacher-student conversations. Reveals acts of resistance and negotiation as students' ideas, preferences, judgments, and meanings interface with the instructional goals and aesthetic views of the…