Discussion of the use of electronic networking systems by women focuses on a study of their use of the Public Electronic Network (PEN) in Santa Monica (California). Characteristics of PEN that contributed to female adoption are described; gender, political participation, and motivation are examined; and future research is suggested. (46…

Describes eight conditions that facilitate the adoption, implementation, and institutionalization of educational technology innovations and suggests applications to the transfer of portable software. Applications of these conditions involving educational technology in Indonesia, Chile, and Peru are evaluated, and guidelines for successful…

Discusses scientific and social aspects of American indigenous societies that were more advanced in 1492 than those of European societies. Suggests that the different lifestyles and world view demonstrated by indigenous societies could become alternatives for the future preservation of the human race and the world. (SV)

Britain's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act provides for the assessment of adults for parenthood on both medical and social grounds, justified by concern for the welfare of the child. Compares these assessments with those undertaken in the adoption process and questions the utility of such decisions for the welfare of the children involved.…

Discussion of the state of the art in computer-assisted school administration (CASA) is based on preceding articles in this issue describing administrative computing in Australia, England, Hong Kong, Israel, Mexico, The Netherlands, and the United States. Highlights include findings of the country-specific articles, elements of the school…

Designed to raise the consciousness of members of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) to ethical issues in the areas of instructional design and educational change, this article urges professors to balance theory with practice, experience, and creativity in instruction. Commitment to change is advocated. (DB)

Literature review indicates adoption status never really ends for any adoptive family; agencies should help whenever help is needed. For families adopting children with special needs, it is imperative help be available at all times. This involves special considerations. Kinds of services needed are discussed, and program designed to provide those…

Psychoanalytic interviews with 22 women in France with unwanted pregnancies found that most discovered their pregnancy after the first trimester (thus not benefiting from legal abortion), that 18 took advantage of French law permitting anonymous and cost-free delivery followed by adoption, but that 4 were surprised by childbirth and committed…

Discussion of staff development in distance education focuses on the Concerns-Based Adoption Model (CBAM) for developing instructional design skills in subject experts. Contingency theories of management are examined, literature on CBAM is reviewed, and use of CBAM in a course team approach for course development is described. (22 references) (LRW)

Discusses the use of groupware for computer-mediated teamwork and considers reasons for its lack of widespread acceptance. Topics include teams as a response to change; kinds of teams; electronic media and cooperative work; collaborative support systems; ways of learning; cultural considerations; and a proposed test series. Contains 54 references.…

Notes that successful child placement depends on engaging birth or previously adopted children during the adoption process, yet other children are often overlooked when parents are adopting a special-needs child. Presents a model which recognizes dynamics of strength and vulnerability and applies that model to preparing and supporting the adoptive…

This study queried caseworkers for 77 New York children in out-of-home care still waiting for placement to determine obstacles to permanent adoption. Questionnaires sought demographics, placement efforts, and caseworker opinions. Findings indicated several obstacles, including the following: child's strong emotional ties to family (foster or…

A scientific, rule-governed approach to solving problems suggests the following assumptions: we need different rules for different purposes; rules are grounded in values; the origins and applications of rules are often misunderstood; personal experience and idea popularity are unreliable; and all truths are tentative. Each assumption is related to…

Examines the range of forces affecting the supply and demand side of adoption. Maintains that demographic trends and social, technological, and economic factors bearing on adoption seeking and relinquishment will be critical factors, with important implications for adoption policy and practice. (Author/KB)

Children in out-of-home care risk losing contact with parents and others despite emphasis of the Children Act 1989. Contact is lower for children in foster care and as family support diminishes. Contact after adoption increases as methods of indirect contact developed by adoption agencies are implemented; lost contact for all children can be…