Dozens of Australian "laptop" schools are following the lead of Methodist Ladies' College (an independent pre-K-12 school) in personal computing and are using some of their pioneering professional development models, including in-classroom collaboration, "slumber parties," and build-a-book workshops. Guidelines for implementing…

Reviews the literature on mentoring teachers, focusing on bilingual and bicultural education and emphasizing issues relevant in urban settings. An interactive model of mentoring is proposed in which bilingual teachers, whether mentors or new teachers, can share perspectives sorely needed in this age of increasing cultural diversity. (SLD)

This article proposes that the task of providing useful information for deans and department heads has major implications for the role and preparation of college and university institutional researchers. Six areas for consideration are examined: local needs assessment, data integrity and interpretation, collaboration, skills and knowledge bases,…

Presents an overview of case-based instruction and a description of how this method might apply to teaching instructional design. Benefits of case studies are reviewed, including promoting professional and personal growth; challenges for instructors and participants are considered; and guidelines for the development and use of case studies are…

Educators from the University of Manitoba (Canada) and the Manitoba Department of Education have developed a model of multicultural professional development for teachers. The model is founded on institutional collaboration and accessing resource personnel, and is committed to integrating theory and practice and including minority groups in the…

The Results-Based Education Model is an outcomes-based program that unifies instruction, learning, and assessment while building in the greatest possible margin of student success. Delivery is via thematic, integrated, performance-based instructional units. This article explains how R-BEM transformed an impoverished school district in South Bronx,…

Documents a graduate-level teacher-education program's initial effort to introduce telecommunications to inservice educators, to determine support and technological needs, and to inform policy for future practice. The major obstacles were lack of time, access to equipment, and resources for implementation. (AEF)

Discusses a sixth grade teacher's experience in turning a classroom project into a book. Offers advice for teachers on becoming writers. Explores obstacles, benefits, and suggestions on writing, editing, and publishing work. Describes a class project that resulted in the cleanup of a toxic waste site and the publication of "The Kid's Guide to…

The staff development program at the University of New South Wales (Australia) differs from traditional university programs in that it integrates professional development activities for both general and academic staff. The Professional Development Centre operates as an academic unit and performs both teaching and research functions. (MSE)

Provides a framework that recognizes the multifaceted nature of school restructuring and identifies four restructuring emphases: student experiences; teachers' professional life; leadership, management, and governance; and coordination of community resources. Describes six critical outcomes (authentic student achievement, equity, empowerment,…

Improving our schools involves reconstruction of two interacting ecologies--that of the total array of educating institutions and that of the formal system of schooling. There is a need to link teacher education and schools simultaneously in improvement. (IAH)

Discusses the evolving role of teachers in educational research, focusing on teacher empowerment. Over time, teacher role in educational research has been as minimally informed participants, collaborative participants, and researchers. Literature indicates a trend toward teacher empowerment via involvement in research and curriculum development.…

Responds to Jean Rudduck's argument that teachers should research their own practice. Maintains the teaching profession needs an autonomous body to accredit teacher education and to regulate curriculum content and assessment procedures. Encourages development of an action research approach to professional development and upgrading quality of…

This career guide for positions in the environmental field is directed at high school students, college students, and aspiring professionals. Includes suggestions for college study, descriptions of college programs, pertinent guides, directories, magazines, work opportunity listings, and professional organizations. (MCO)

Distance learning (DL) is proposed as one means of providing in-session language classes for non-native-speaking postgraduate students at English-medium universities. A DL preparatory language program at the Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok is described. (48 references) (Author/LB)