The Australian Language Levels (ALL) Project offers a coherent model for elementary and secondary language curriculum design. Book 2 of the four-volume series elaborates on each of the major features of the ALL Project proposal for language curricula outlined in Book 1, focusing on the syllabus, suggesting possible content at different…

A study investigated effectiveness of a University of Southern Queensland (Australia) program to improve access to higher education for disadvantaged groups. Results suggest that, although the program improves access, it has inherent inequities, does not provide adequate student support, and does not consider student readiness for the demands of…

The best HIV prevention programs--those that effect change on a multiplicity of levels by changing knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors and that are sustained over time--are also those that place HIV-positive people at the center of program design, implementation, and evaluation.

This paper describes the Australian Open Learning Initiative (OLI), a program to facilitate access to postsecondary education. The program will provide off-campus or distance education courses for which there is evident high demand. Program features include an independent brokering agency, coordination by a university or group of universities,…

This report is made up of 20 case descriptions of tertiary level distance-delivered educational programs developed specifically for indigenous students in three countries: Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Included in each case is a description of the institutions and stakeholders involved in each course or program, history of the initiative,…

Australian society in the 1990s has been marked by the gradual disenfranchisement of rural communities due to the urban bias of political and economic decision-makers. In Victoria, curriculum changes based on strategic centralism, consumer capture, and educational accountability were accompanied by a more controlled, urban-biased approach to…

The basic philosophy underlying many contemporary developments in educational theory and practice is the concept of "equal opportunity" within an education system as distinct from the older concept of "equal education" for all. This research project investigated alternative educational environments that could be designed to…

This four-part volume addresses design principles for introducing democratic forms in workplaces, educational institutions, and social institutions, based on a trend toward participative democracy in Australia. Following an introduction, part I sets the context with two papers: "The Agenda for the Next Wave" and "Educational…

During a merger, an Australian high school was designated as specializing in foreign languages and developed a program consisting of six languages (French, German, Italian, Modern Greek, Latin, and Mandarin Chinese). The program is described, focusing on admission policies, testing procedures, program design and administration, facilities, and…

This report summarizes a survey of participants in a teacher training program for the First Steps project, which provides additional support for development of literacy and numeracy among "at-risk" students in Western Australia schools. The training program was to assist teachers in implementing the program in their schools. Respondents…

This paper describes the activities and outcomes of LATCH-ON (Literacy and Technology-Hands On), a literacy program for young adults with Down Syndrome based at the University of Queensland in Australia. The program's aims are to support literacy as a desirable and valued aspect in the students' quality of life through developing communication in…

These 14 essays address convergence--the breaking down of barriers between open and distance learning and conventional education, and the creation of more multimodal institutions. "Convergence of Distance and Conventional Education" (Tait, Mills) is an overview to the book. "Efficacy and Ethics of Using Digital Multimedia for…

Problem-based learning (PBL) is a powerful instructional design for professional education, which may be used to guide the design of interactive multimedia (IMM). An IMM package incorporating PBL principles has been developed to assist teachers in learning to integrate information and communications technologies (ICT) into their teaching. The…

The provision of child care and development programs that meet the specific needs of infants and toddlers is a major issue among professional caregivers. This monograph provides a quick guide to program planning that focuses specifically on the needs of very young children in group settings. The monograph explains and discusses the planning…

Literature on the goals, barriers, and trends in inservice education is reviewed here, and criteria for development of an inservice program as well as a checklist of possible activities are provided. Specific activities outlined are: courses; workshops; conferences; exchanges and secondments; comparative educational tours; study leave and study…