Analyzes how the discourse of vocationalism and economic rationalism has created a shift in curriculum focus from the educational progressivism of the 1970s to the economic instrumentalism of the 1980s in Australia. Critiques the vocationalist argument and addresses weaknesses in their position. Delineates adverse educational consequences of this…

Eighty percent of New Mexico's 17 community college and vocational school CEOs responded to a survey revealing that they have different views on what constitutes remedial and developmental programs; and although these programs are considered compatible with the CEOs' educational philosophy, programs are not viewed on equal basis with other college…

This field study suggests that preschoolers' social play should be viewed as a developmentally expanding repertoire of skills and that the performance of the skills is a function of the expectations of the preschool environment (school philosophy and practice). Subjects were 54 Canadian preschoolers, aged 4 and 5. (IAH)

Addresses the issue of social studies as an academic field of study and whether or not there is a fixed body of knowledge in the social studies. Examines scope and sequence, the purpose and function of history and social sciences in school programs, and social studies as citizenship education. (LS)

Reports on the development of a critical pedagogy in a sociology of education course. Examines the effectiveness of the project, using drama, in terms of the opportunities provided for students to relate common-sense understandings to sociological concepts. Looks at students' political development in a collaborative group situation. (Author/LS)

Teacher education programs should be based on a developmental process that individualizes professional learning and continues long enough to produce well-qualified professionals. This process could enable a carefully selected individual to become initially qualified enough to survive the early pressures and to serve for many years as a truly…

In a fictional "history" written from the year 2037, Katan presents a satiric view of what art education may become. (GEA)

Describes the mechanistic model of language on which automatic indexing is based, and examines the underlying assumptions of the model to demonstrate the ineffectiveness of this indexing. It is argued that theoretical research from the fields of linguistics, psychology, and philosophy need to be incorporated into automatic indexing to overcome…

Discusses the conditions present during and after World War I which led to the creation of social studies as a discrete component in the U.S. school curriculum. Describes these conditions as a public awareness of impending crisis, perception of citizenship as a major social concern, alternatives to traditional citizenship education, and…

Proposes a phenomenological approach to the teaching of political science. Argues that this approach will more effectively introduce college students to the content and methods of politics by relating these to their social experience. Discusses books in which the political world is constructed from the bottom-up rather than the top down. (KO)

Surveys the successive changes in the terminology and concept of "pedagogy" and "pedagogical research" and their subsequent marginalization. Examines the differences between"pedagogy" and "knowledge," concluding that despite varying definitions, "pedagogy" and "pedagogical research" still…

This article suggests additional possibilities for reconceptualist thought, which is characterized by an experimental bent and a disdain for orthodoxy, as well as new venues for action. Possible contributions by reconceptualists to issues of curricular reform, experimental schools, education courses and preservice teacher education are discussed.…

The extent of U.S. influence on Australian education is being recognized. The differences between the U.S. and the British models of vocational guidance posed dilemmas for Australian educators. Research should be conducted in the context of political and socioeconomic factors, including the British tradition and the impact of American ideas. (SK)

Findings from case studies of two second grade teachers who participated in an alternative Masters of Education program are reported. Each teacher entered the program with different educational philosophies and teaching practices. The studies traced the changes which emerged in the teachers' beliefs and practices. (IAH)

This paper explores the evidence of a substantive paradigm shift in curriculum theory by examining the questions that have caused Elliot Eisner's radical shift from an empirical-analytical research model to a critical-theoretical one. The role of theory development and of ethics and values in research have propelled Eisner's theoretical shift. (TE)