The purpose of this paper is to evaluate four social studies textbooks recently under consideration for use by the Memphis (Tennessee) City Public Schools. The textbooks, chosen at random, are: "World Geography: A Physical and Cultural Study" (de Blij and others, Scott Foresman, 1989); "A History of the United States" (Boorstin…

This paper describes a study designed to determine the congruency of preservice student learning experiences with student needs and expectations. During the 1991-1992 academic year, 39 secondary student teachers responded to 3 analytical questions about their student teaching experiences. Responses were analyzed and ranked in three categories. In…

The function of qualitative research in education is examined, taking into account the curriculum development of one institution, the Escuela Normal Veracruzana, Jalapa (Mexico), which is one of the oldest teacher training colleges (dating from 1886) still functioning in Mexico. Although this academic institution never traditionally promoted the…

A sample of approximately 50 educational organizations in England and Wales were invited to supply statistics or other information regarding where adults start their return to learning. Approximately two-thirds responded and also commented on the feasibility of collecting such data. Responses indicated a lack of "hard" quantitative…

Three volumes present, in three chapters each, summaries of the papers delivered at the June 1992 European Conference on Educational Research. In 1992 the annual Dutch Educational Research Association conference became international. The 9 themes of the conference, arranged in 9 chapters, and the number of papers presented for each theme are as…

This issue includes the following nine papers on the theme of collecting and utilizing information on vocational training in Europe: "Information on Vocational Training in the Federal Republic of Germany" (Hardenacke); "Devolved Decision Making in the U.K. Demands Wide Dissemination of Information" (Cowan, Brown);…

This essay examines the provision of early childhood education and care (educare) for black preschool children in South Africa. After a brief introduction, the essay outlines the demographics of and government role in preschool education. The social and environmental context of black preschool children in South Africa, along with the educational…

Two key factors affecting the success of non-major science courses are students' perceptions of topic difficulty and interest. An attitudinal survey administered to 300 college students, after completion of a college science course, evaluated their attitudes toward a geology curriculum. Using a Likert type scale students rated their level of…

These 16 papers provide as complete a picture as possible of the current efforts in self-directed learning (SDL) application and research. The papers are: "Challenging Some Myths about Self-Directed Learning Research" (Long); "Childhood Experiences as Origins of Self-Directed Learning Experiences" (Long, Stubblefield);…

Channel One is a daily 12-minute news broadcast for schoolwide rebroadcast to grades 6 through 12. Three years of independent research have tracked its impact on schools and students. This document contains an executive summary and final report that discusses the research findings, focusing on the research during the 1992-93 school year. At that…

The purpose of this symposium on research in distance education was to continue the process of building the network of scholars and climate of cooperation and communication necessary for further development of distance education and to provide an opportunity for discussion. Four main areas of focus for the symposium were learning and…

A series of case studies were undertaken by UNESCO to probe more deeply into the adequacy of science, mathematics, and technology curricula to meet national needs, and their appropriateness in relation to the rapidly-evolving nature of science and technology themselves. This fifth study, from Pakistan, has focused on the following 4 major areas:…

An approach to educational research that is receiving renewed attention is participatory action research (PAR), which emphasizes a bottom-up approach to research as well as useful outcomes. PAR is a philosophy, and not a methodology per se. It is a deliberate, goal-directed, structured, and applied means of obtaining information that looks to…

This overview of the research on the educational outcomes of early childhood education and care focuses on issues and research of particular relevance to New Zealand. It explores the effects of early childhood education duration, type, and quality on the outcomes for children, comparing studies done in the United States and elsewhere to the…

Two separate historical traditions have influenced Swedish literacy: the church and formal schooling. In answer to the challenge of the International Literacy Year 1990, Sweden has formed a national committee to address such issues as future literacy missions, support of international understanding, and stimulation of research. The National Board…