This discussion of definitions of distance education responds to previous articles attempting to define the field. Topics discussed include distance education versus conventional education; group-based distance education; differences between open learning and distance education; and criteria to define distance education. (13 references) (LRW)

The article considers issues concerning the mildly mentally retarded and those currently ineligible for special services due to changes in definition. Due to declining interest in these children, understanding of their learning/behavioral characteristics is limited and their educational needs are not being met. (DB)

A study for assessing automatic vocabulary switching from a thesaurus to Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) revealed that a maximum 61%, but a more realistic 41.5%, of the terms could be switched automatically; as long as LCSH is used for subject descriptions in online catalogs, interfaces for vocabulary switching can only be partially…

This commentary on Breneman (HE 534 032) maintains that liberal education is not so much a set of disciplines as a way of thinking. He warns against framing liberal education in a way that makes it seem elitist. (DB)

Explains that "plagiarism" does not have a commonly agreed-upon definition. Claims that plagiarism is not a legal term. Describes plagiarism as a term for an academic crime, for which each institution has its own definition. Notes that copyright law (a crime with a specific legal definition) is a cousin of plagiarism. (PA)

This study examined qualitative developments in 96 school-aged children's expressible knowledge of 434 words (selected to represent dictionary contents). Developmental changes were found in proportions of high quality definitions, semantic and syntactic form, effects of parts of speech, morphological composition, and lexical organization. Results…

A discussion of the Australian Vice Chancellors' Committee (AVCC) code of ethics concerning provision of educational services to foreign students at Australian institutions of higher education looks at what defines educational quality, minimum standards of provision, and measures of excellence in provision. (MSE)

The most influential definitions of "dyslexia" are subjected to a critical analysis. Definitions are grouped according to the principles of symptoms, causality, and prognosis. The major conclusion is that proposed definitions of dyslexia should be treated as hypotheses that should primarily describe symptoms. (SLD)

The National Joint Committee for Learning Disabilities' definition of learning disabilities is presented, followed by a discussion of parameters to be considered in operationalizing the definition. Major definitional issues are then explored, including using testable and meaningful constructs, linking definitions to neuropsychological evidence,…

Reports on the work of the Center for the Study of Community Colleges in helping two-year colleges to define and establish their rates of transfer. Presents the outcomes of 1990 forums where study participants discussed problems and issues in data collection. (DMM)

Examines problems that commonly appear in the definition and discussion of work in physics textbooks. Presents the work-energy theorem, provides examples contradicting erroneous statements often found in textbook, and discusses the inconsistent terminology utilized with respect to force and work. (MDH)

Forty-three adolescents with autism and developmental impairments were assessed with the Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI), DSM-III-R (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual III, Revised) criteria, and the clinician's diagnosis. DSM-III-R criteria for autism exhibited low specificity and agreed poorly with the other two definitions, whereas the ADI was…

A major obstacle students encounter in their study of mathematics is the language of the discipline. The words used to convey mathematical concepts are foreign and conceal the notions that they are intended to reveal. Discusses this problem and presents suggestions to help make students sensitive to and aware of the precision required to…

Ten articles in this special section address the incidence and nature of scientific misconduct in the research publication process. Discussed are definitions of the problem, its prevalence, policies which may be developed to address ethical issues, and the results of a survey of the scientific community. (EA)

This paper describes the definitions, diagnostic criteria, and eligibility criteria used by vocational rehabilitation agencies in serving adults with learning disabilities. The paper emphasizes that the focus of all vocational rehabilitation services is on employment and that counseling is at the core of the service program for persons with…