Some six hundred educators were studied in depth to determine their experiences with innovation, the influences of recognized diffusion agents upon their adoption of innovations, the characteristics of selected target audiences in relation to the adoption of innovations to personal practice, and relationships between five distinguishable stages of…

This study was an attempt to build upon the prior work in the area of the diffusion of innovations and innovativeness. Broadly stated, the study attempted to answer the question: What is the relationship between selected characteristics of intact groups and their innovativeness? The sample consisted of six elementary schools in Massachusetts which…

Investigates whether information about new National Science Foundation sponsored elementary science curricula was not being effectively communicated to the appropriate persons, thus hindering the selection and adoption of those curricula. (GA)

Administered questionnaire to adolescents concerning difficulties experienced with both newly adopted school-age siblings and with other children already in family. Difficulties with all siblings were seen primarily as hassles; however, adoptee was reported as creating more problems than "old" siblings, mostly involving invasion of turf…

This discussion of the explosion of knowledge focuses on how schools must organize their curriculum to be conducive to change. Ten guidelines are suggested for providing new learning methods and for successfully dealing with a changing society. (LRW)

Suggests typology as initial framework for study of patterns of computer use in the home, along with four sets of independent factors--social status, technical features, sociocultural setting, and personal attributes. This approach integrates patterns of computer utilization with technological, social, and psychological factors to account for…

A model to assess instructor concerns about, and use of, the innovation or change in classroom procedures and materials has been proposed and tested for its effectiveness in a vocational curriculum area. Indications are that this model has promise for improving the installation of desired change in vocational curricula. (Author)

Argues that the computer will make a major difference because it places within one total environment that teaches (the school) another total environment that teaches (the computer). A hopeful sign is the growing number of educational computer programs that use the computer effectively as a mind-tool rather than an instructional medium. (BBM)

What is needed in a training program to successfully transfer technology from a developed to a developing nation is discussed. Workers' technical know-how can only be transmitted directly by workers in the owner company to workers in the receiving company through collaboration in on-the-job training. (RM)

Discusses hypotheses which examine, for a nonprogramed decision, variables of (1) individual decision makers, (2) information upon which choices are based, and (3) structural features within which decision is made. Circumstances under which decision-making group (Ohio's librarians) selected an innovative alternative (incorporation of OCLC) are…

This book provides parents with some insight on how children come to understand sex and reproduction. Chapter 1 discusses some of the ways children think differently from adults and chapter 2 offers suggestions for talking with children about sex and birth and forming families. In chapters 3-8, children's explanations of the origins of babies are…

In 1978, federal legislation was passed to protect tribally enrolled or potentially enrollable American Indian children and prevent the breakup of Indian families. Prior to the passage of the Indian Child Welfare Act, it was estimated that one-quarter to one-third of all Indian children were being removed from their families. In this paper, an…

This publication is a sourcebook of free and low-cost resources to support the work of professional counselors. The information includes: (1) synthesis of current research, statistics, and research reports; (2) background material about current and emerging policy issues; (3) information about model programs and policies; (4) materials and…

As state governments realize that ignoring the child welfare status quo will victimize more children and increase state agencies' difficulties, they have begun implementing various reform ideas. Efforts to reform the family court system face many obstacles (turf battles among government agencies, inadequate numbers of attorneys, and lack of…

In this discussion of diffusion in education, innovation theory and various models of the dissemination process are analyzed to point out ways that teacher educators can help improve educational practices. The importance of a strategy for innovation is stressed, and "linkage" is identified as a central contribution of teacher education…