The efforts of the West German Zentrales Institut fuer Fernstudienforschung, an institute developed in 1975 to study distance education, are discussed, including its major studies of distance students, methods and media, course development, student-teacher interaction, program administration, and other issues. (MSE)

This issue of "EFF Voice" focuses on current research and development efforts to create an assessment framework for the Equipped for the Future (EFF) Content Standards. As in all earlier phases of EFF R&D, this work engages practitioners in the field, as well as researchers and other technical advisors, as partners in the development…

This book examines issues and methods for conducting research into the educational resource environment in colleges and universities. That environment is defined as whatever is used to facilitate the learning process, including learning space, support staff, and teaching staff. Chapter 1 is an introduction to the series and lays out the process of…

The purpose of this review is to present an overview of the research literature relating to the acquisition of literacy. Its focus is on empirical studies that identify the processes underlying the acquisition of literacy, and the instructional strategies that are most effective in developing effective literacy. Its specific focus is on the…

This text is intended for individuals studying or involved in college student affairs work and focuses on theory and research concerning the cognitive, affective, and behavioral development of today's college students. Part 1 examines the concept of student development in a chapter providing an historical context and a chapter on the role and uses…

This theme issue presents a variety of articles and resources on the application of positive behavioral support (PBS) with children who exhibit behavior problems in home or school settings. The first article discusses the importance of understanding a challenging behavior's purpose, implementing behavior change strategies, and monitoring…

This volume presents 59 chapters on research and development in giftedness and talent from an international perspective. This second edition includes 80 percent new material and incorporates three fundamental changes from the previous edition: perspectives from scholars in related fields, new scholarship emerging in the late 1990s on talent…

This directory is one of five which together describe almost 1200 discretionary grants and contracts currently supported by the Research to Practice Division of the Office of Special Education Programs under the 1997 Amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This document covers grants and contracts in the program area…

Research findings related to constructivism have been applied to development of the Equipped for the Future (EFF) Framework and Continuum of Performance, a multi-dimensional developmental description of performance serving as a foundation for EFF-based instruction and assessment of learner progress. Acquiring expertise is a complex developmental…

Based on the assumption that the more teachers know about brain science, the better prepared they will be to make instructional decisions, this book presents information on current research regarding learning and memory, and applies the research to situations that educators face daily. Chapter 1 examines the structure of the brain and its…

In 2003, Sierra Health Foundation's Board of Directors selected school-aged youth as the target for its next focused grantmaking effort. As part of the program research and development phase, staff and consultants examined evidenced-based practices that appear promising in positively affecting adolescent health and development for young people…

Describes the current situation in Canada regarding the consequences of an expected decline in university enrollments, when it was originally expected that the university system would solve problems of society needing science-based solutions. Parallels are drawn with the situation in the United States. (CS)

Explains how meta-analysis can be used to estimate the effectiveness of various teaching strategies in special education and related services. Identifies specific interventions with combined effect sizes that indicate either effectiveness (such as mnemonic strategies, enhancing reading comprehension), promise of effectiveness (stimulant drugs,…

Varying levels of inservice training and support in use of classwide peer tutoring (CWPT) were provided for 44 elementary teachers whose classes included students with learning disabilities. Analysis of teachers' survey responses, teachers' classroom observations, and interviews of six implementors indicated that level of support did not…

Studied influence of age and research support on frequency of technical innovation and economic growth in United States between 1929-1984. Found research support and age influenced number of patents awarded which, in turn, influenced deviations in gross national product. Concluded that development and maintenance of creative potential needs…