Argues that effective staff development for teachers should be tied to the daily classroom life and grounded in the concerns and questions of teachers. Discusses a theory of pedagogy that advocates teaching for understanding and a model of staff development based on practical knowledge and critical reflections. (SLD)

Explored the use of e-mail to develop a productive mentoring relationship with a student teacher through her student teaching and first year of teaching. Found that on-line discussions provided opportunities to state concerns and offer mentoring ideas in a calm environment. Also found that both mentor and student shared stories that encouraged…

Defining teachers as professionals in the same way that doctors or engineers are professionals is reductionist because such definition generally distorts the moral dimensions of teaching by using the wrong language (clients, customers), focusing on limited forms of knowledge, and ignoring the fundamental democratic character of education.…

Speculates on the future of Professional Development Schools (PDSs), examining: the Holmes Group's beginning vision of PDSs; PDS progress; persistent problems; the vision of learning and learning to teach; the role of the university at large; the structures of schools and PDSs; teachers' roles; recent enabling trends; and a primary purpose for…

This article identifies the roots of the Professional Development School movement, examining its current focal areas and focusing on some of the challenges it faces in sustaining itself in the future and in meeting its potential as a reform strategy to bring about real change for students, educators, and future educators. (SM)

Adults participating in a Los Angeles "school family" network will be engaged for the next several years in the Annenberg Challenge--a national reform initiative aimed at improving student performance. Participation offers opportunities to develop a coherent K-12 education plan, access extra resources, and pursue collaborative…

Provides three lists summarizing the most and least significant changes in music education and speculates on possible changes in the future. Offers some observations on the present state of music education, such as providing performance opportunities to all students and opening music rooms and labs to the community. (CMK)

Uses focus-group interviews of social work supervisors and caseworkers to explore impact of masters of social work degree obtained in a university/agency partnership on personal behavior, structure, and technological organization. Notes findings including increased worker confidence, changed communication patterns between workers and organization,…

Provides results from a survey sent to all North American institutions offering Italian language courses to investigate the internal organization and training procedures for teaching assistants of Italian. (Author/VWL)

Discusses Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), a method through which technology administrators may understand and manage all costs of technology-related purchases. Describes six categories of costs to consider during the planning process: professional development; support; software; replacement costs; retrofitting; and connectivity. (AEF)

Describes a program developed by the Association of California Community Colleges to provide one-year mentoring experiences between veteran administrators and administrative staff who aspire to leadership positions. Sample program forms illustrate the program's administration. Discusses the results of an assessment survey completed by 391 of the…

Discusses the analytical problems that research on the academic profession must address and summarizes recent trends and debates. Suggests possible future developments in the context of four scenarios: "key profession,""academic work,""mediator," and "antiquity." Findings of the International Study on the Academic Profession are discussed in the…

The traditional concept of community is considered and redefined in relation to the new phenomenon of virtual community, which offers an expansion, and significant changes, in professional relationships and activities. Perspectives are offered on community within organizations and professional groups, the role of professional community in higher…

Examines the development of information and communication technology (ICT) capability by associate-trainees on a postgraduate certificate of education (PGCE) course involving the promotion of ICT use during three classroom placements by in-school teacher-mentors. Considers the perceived effects on the trainees' development of ICT capability by the…

Explores how teacher education might be improved, through considering the student teachers' unfolding experiences, highlighting the Post Graduate Certificate of Education in the United Kingdom. Focuses on: (1) the emphasis toward skills and performance in teacher education; (2) concepts of reflection applied within teacher education; and (3) the…