One in a series of five descriptive case studies dealing with innovation, this study on Norway elucidates the functions of the National Council for Innovation in Education (NCIE), an advisory council which was formed to regulate experimentation and reform in the entire Norwegian school system. With major emphasis on democratization, the objectives…

Discusses interactive videodisc technology (IVD) development and potential; education and training capabilities specifically related to developing countries; costs; technical capabilities; likely applications which justify IVD's initial programming expenses; specific IVD applications relative to remedial mathematics and science education, job…

Summarizes the history of the outdoor education movement from the idea stage of school camping (1930-1939) to the present stage of diversity and growing opportunities for resident outdoor programs and programs for special populations. Analyzes research literature, noting thematic trends and quantitative studies of numbers of participants and…

Describes the results of a survey that examined what kinds of database vendors are improving their retrieval software and the decision processes involved. Respondents included large and small vendors from the public and private sectors. An appendix presents vendors' reasons for and against specific innovations. (12 references) (CLB)

Uses survey data from Texas and North Dakota to examine characteristics of farmers experiencing financial stress and to assess relative utility of adoption/diffusion, structural, and ecological frameworks for explaining levels of farm financial stress. Finds theoretical frameworks inadequate to explain differences in financial conditions.…

This two-part article begins by describing symptoms which indicate that technology and higher education are out of step with each other. It is postulated that there is a mismatch in life cycles, with higher education at a mature point, and technology needing the flexible, risk-taking, innovative environment of the earlier stages. (Author/LRW)

The second part of a two-part article provides eight suggestions for facilitating adoption of new technologies by institutions of higher education. These involve decentralization; persuading influential people; the right committee structure; planning a direction; a knowledgeable chief integrator; encouraging hands-on experience for people at the…

Attempts to define the unique characteristics of the political, social, and economic obstacles to the modernization of academic libraries in China. The historical development of librarianship in China is described, and a scenario is used to illustrate the organization of academic libraries and the resulting problems. (18 references) (CLB)

This historical overview of librarians' reactions to technological change reviews theories of resistant behavior, as well as strategies for accepting change within the library setting. (CD)

Describes a study of the attitudes of adult education instructors and administrators toward educational innovation in individualized learning, computer assisted instruction, curriculum change and innovation, and instructor and learner roles. While instructors accept potential value of innovations, they resist when there is vague policy,…

Review of television's relationship with schools highlights major problem areas--inadequate equipment maintenance funds and teacher training, and negative teacher attitudes--and shows that the integration of computers is experiencing similar problems. Differences worth pursuing are also discussed and ways to avoid problems with computer…

Review of the literature on computer assisted instruction covers advantages of use; varieties; effectiveness variables including student achievement, learning time, and student attitudes; factors influencing computer assisted instruction adoption including costs, teacher training, and distribution; and interactive video. (MBR)

Reports on Green Thumb, a government-sponsored, university-operated, computer-based videotext system that disseminated agricultural information to 200 Kentucky farmers for 13 months. Findings suggest that adoption of videotext systems may follow a different adoption pattern than other farming innovations. (MH)

Discusses problems of centralization versus decentralization, tradition versus modernization, teacher status, administrative burdens, and educational objectives in relation to the use of educational technology in the Arab world, and suggests some possible remedies. (MBR)

The Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) of 1997 was intended to increase the safety of children, promote adoption and other permanency options for children, and support fragile families. Although elements of ASFA were viewed as positive, child welfare administrators, practitioners, and researchers expressed concern that ASFA implementation could…