Describes a survey of chief academic officers at 65 randomly selected community colleges that assessed perceptions regarding faculty sabbatical leaves. Reveals that administrators agreed that sabbaticals contribute to a sense of rejuvenation and renewal, among other things, but tended to disagree that they help faculty become better scholars and…

Discusses factors highlighting the necessity of mentors in early-childhood education: high teacher turnover, teacher shortages, high rates of attrition in first three years of teaching, and problems faced by beginning teachers. Presents an alphabet of terms to describe roles of effective mentors. States that mentoring is a time of continued…

Presents examples of mathematical experiences and investigations for preservice teachers. Discusses potential benefits of the suggested mathematical experiences for the personal and professional growth of teachers. Contains 21 references. (Author/ASK)

Investigates changing teacher roles associated with two teachers' use of innovative mathematics materials at the sixth-grade level, in a setting that contained all the ideal ingredients for professional growth. Concludes that the greatest changes in the teachers' roles related to increasing comfort with posing non-routine problems to students and…

Discusses advantages to the whole-faculty study-group process, which involves small groups that meet regularly to focus on some area of educational improvement. The paper presents 15 whole-faculty study-group process guidelines, and it concludes that study groups can help teachers accomplish together what they are already expected to do. (SM)

Describes the integrated approach to instructional consultation used at the Centre for University Teaching and Learning at McGill University (Canada). Emphasis is on teaching improvement as a conceptual change process, discipline-specific applications as situated learning, and development of a dispersed network of faculty consultants. Implications…

Describes how 14 elementary teachers, two administrators, and one facilitator (a university faculty member) formed and carried out a year-long study group. Discusses benefits, noting that teachers can take control of their learning by actively participating in problem-centered discussions and activities. Offers several planning guidelines for…

Discusses possible theoretical underpinnings of proposed courses in teaching and learning for higher education teachers. Proposes a model which draws upon the disciplinary perspectives of academics and conceives of three kinds of knowledge in dynamic relationship: public knowledge, personal knowledge, and knowledge derived from present…

Describes an approach to faculty development that relies on faculty learning from one another through peer observation. Rather than equating such observation with evaluating a colleague's performance, faculty observers are urged to approach the assignment as "students of teaching." (DB)

Describes the development of narrative inquiry, highlighting one institutional setting, and discussing how narrative inquiry moved from being a research tool to a vehicle for curriculum within both graduate and preservice teacher development. After discussing theoretical resources for narrative inquiry, the paper examines criteria and terms…

Responses from 112 general practitioners in Quebec who organize continuing medical education and interviews with 18 identified their skill and knowledge needs in the areas of needs assessment, adult education principles, and group leadership techniques. Their primary problems included motivating and maintaining physicians' interest in formal…

Study reports on the influence of their doctoral experiences on the scholarly writing and productivity of tenured women faculty members in higher education and student affairs programs. Factors that contributed to creating their identities as scholarly writers and influenced their scholarly writing and productivity included: structured…

To influence school boards, staff developers must remember their rules, which include: demonstrate through ideals and actions that students come first; spend taxpayer money in thrifty, creative ways; explain things in simple, incisive ways; be independent-minded in accepting or rejecting advice; find early indications of success for money spent;…

The Technology for All Americans Project, designed to promote K-12 technological literacy, plans to develop standards for teacher preparation, student assessment, and program evaluation, based on the Technology Content Standards. The Center to Advance the Teaching of Technology and Science will provide professional development support for teachers…

Describes Multiple-User Dungeons (MUDs), multiple-user computer programs that allow participants to interact with others in "real time" exchanges. Discusses their potential in the writing classroom and beyond, and notes their potential for faculty development activities. Offers a list of Internet resources, some actual MUD addresses, and other…