Discusses the experiences of a group of teachers sharing their everyday teaching activities through the use of sketch journals, journals inscribed with insights, and drawings gleaned from the classroom, as a means to gather information and help teachers reflect on their learning. Suggests that sketch journals helped teachers find natural ways to…

One of four articles in the fourth section, "Aspects of Evaluation of PDS," this article by the coordinator of the Clinical Schools Clearinghouse looks at how the scope and scale of PDS information has changed since 1991 and what inquiries from the public and trends in the literature suggest about emerging issues. (SM)

Describes an initiative of the National Association for the Education of Young Children with the goals of helping early childhood professionals prevent child abuse and neglect and promote healthy social and emotional development. Highlights findings from the Phase 1 research project confirming that most educators are willing to participate more…

This article highlights major developments in the education of children with intellectual disabilities in light of an early review of progress and problems and subsequent reforms to the education system as a whole. Key issues include access to the National Curriculum, prospects for inclusive education, and implications for professional…

This article describes Skilled Dialogue, an approach to cultural competency developed in response to the challenges posed by cultural linguistic diversity. Skilled Dialogue focuses on cultural competency as the ability to craft respectful, reciprocal, and responsive interactions across diverse cultural parameters. Characteristics, component…

Compared two types of case-based hypermedia for teachers' professional development: one in which cases are episodes of classroom teaching and learning, the other in which cases are narratives that structure the episodes. Comparison showed that while both types helped teachers learn the material, access to narrative cases afforded greater…

This article describes an inquiry-based science project, presents the professional development that supported it, gives recommendations to teachers of inclusive classrooms, and provides a practical checklist for program assessment. A list of teacher characteristics recommended for the inquiry approach is also provided, along with classroom design…

This article offers an overview of the development of practical approaches to professional development that, by deepening teachers' insight into emotional and social factors in children's learning, have been shown to supersede the need to exclude the disaffected. It discusses moving towards a more nurturing connective school culture. (Contains…

A project to help teachers use technology to enhance learning is tied to the Lewis and Clark Expedition bicentennial, to bring a sense of adventure to learning. A 3-day outdoor workshop emphasizing the Nez Perce role in the expedition and a mapping project tracing changes in Lewiston (Idaho) had 8th-graders using global positioning systems,…

A clinical experience program provided 29 rural Australian allied health professionals with experience in pediatric clinical areas and opportunities to share clinical knowledge and develop networks with metropolitan peers. Questionnaires and focus groups indicated that networking, clinical skills, knowledge, confidence, and awareness of rural…

Discusses the development, implementation, and evaluation of a unit designed to assist preservice teachers of quantitative literacy called numeracy. Investigates the relevance of quantitative literacy to daily life, aspects of quantitative literacy, and lessons in schooling using an internet site as a teaching resource. (Author/KHR)

Discusses the use of the inquiry cycle during a professional development program for social studies teachers. Focuses on controversial issues, specifically the problems in Kosovo. Describes the inquiry cycle in detail and the three-phase cycle that helped teachers understand the importance of social studies. (CMK)

Outlines outcomes of a survey which invited Australian Head Teachers of English to identify the major strengths and challenges of new Stage 6 Higher School Certificate courses. Reveals that teachers see the great potential for their students to be challenged and enthused by the courses. Notes significant anxiety and lack of assurance among…

This article describes a Tourette syndrome training day for teachers facilitated by members of the Tic Disorders Clinic at Great Ormond Street Hospital in England. The day provided a mix of information giving and discussion of current practice. Outcomes of the day are related to professional knowledge and experience. (Contains references.) (CR)

Develops a set of educational evaluation criteria for online continuing professional development (CPD) courses using Kolb's experiential learning cycle theory. Evaluates five courses provided by online CPD Web sites, concludes that these online courses neglect parts of the learning cycle, and suggests improvements. (Author/LRW)