This abstract journal contains abstracts of documents dealing with secondary and postsecondary technical education that are available through the Australian Technical and Further Education (TAFE) Clearinghouse system. The abstracts contained in this journal are from the following broad categories: traditional discipline curriculum subjects;…

Reform documents have provided a framework for advancing science education (e.g., The Australian National Science Standard Committee, 2002), but omit the need to assess preservice teachers prior knowledge for designing effective learning programs. A pretest-posttest 34-item survey linked to the course outcomes (associated with four constructs)…

Approximately 300 Australian users and non-users of the biomedical computerized data base, MEDLARS, were surveyed by mailed questionnaire in an attempt to determine the needs of present and potential users of the system and their prior experiences with computerized as well as other information services. Results of the survey reveal: (1) an…

Chapters in this volume include the following: "Co-Constructing School Safetime: Safetalk Practices in Peruvian and South African Classrooms" (Nancy H. Hornberger, J. Keith Chick); "Codeswitching and Collusion: Classroom Interaction in Botswana Primary Schools" (Jo Arthur); "Language and Educational Inequality in Primary…

Workplace learning, both formal and informal, is taking on an increasingly important role in the education and training of the workforce. Based on an analysis of recent research on workplace learning in Australia, in an 'ideal' workplace learning situation enterprises would have in place the elements outlined in the following key findings: (1)…

Performance level assessment (PLA) is a type of supplementary evidence system for competency-based assessment that is being pilot tested at five technical and further education (TAFE) institutes throughout Queensland, Australia. The PLA system uses the following three levels of performance: competency achieved; competency achieved with credit; and…

This digest summarizes the contents of the more than 50 separate items that were published by the Technical and Further Education (TAFE) National Centre for Research and Development in 1986-87. These items include major research reports, video programs, newsletters, clearinghouse reports and textbooks. The first section provides an overview of the…

This paper, which examines adult education in Australia, is divided into three parts. The first part is a background survey of Australian history and Australian educational development, beginning with its colonization by prisoners and including its government forms and its three levels of education: primary, secondary, and tertiary. After this…

This first of the two-part proceedings of an Australian Conference on Youth schooling and unemployment contains the texts of 26 research papers. Focus of the papers is on educational practices and specific problems in educational research. Topics covered in individual reports include student perceptions of specific courses; quantification in case…

This abstract journal contains abstracts of 191 documents on technical education secondary and postsecondary levels which are available through the Australian Technical and Further Education (TAFE) Clearinghouse system. The abstracts contained in this journal are from the following broad categories: traditional discipline curriculum subjects;…

The nature and effects of current common understandings of the relationship between work and literacy were examined along with the typical design and objectives of workplace literacy programs for members of Australia's work force. Special attention was paid to the following topics: changing demands of work and literacy at work; discourses of…

Auspicing in Australia's vocational education and training (VET) sector involves organizations entering into partnerships with registered training organizations (RTOs) to have the training and assessment they undertake recognized under the National Training Framework. RTOs bear responsibility for assuring the quality of the assessments conducted…

Existing research on vocational education and training (VET) for entry-level employment in Australia was reviewed. According to the review, research on entry-level VET has enhanced knowledge related to the following: competence requiring knowledge and understanding as well as performance; graded standards-based assessment; problems of policy…

During the 2001 summer holidays, the main Social Science classroom at St Ursula's College, a Catholic Secondary Girls' school of 740 pupils in Toowomba, Queensland was renovated. A mini-computer laboratory of four nests of computers was incorporated into the traditional teaching space. (See Diagram 1 and photograph). This room was named the…

This study investigated the status of instruction in cultures and languages other than English in Queensland, Australia in preparation for development of comprehensive and coherent public policies for the field. The report addresses the following topics: the policy development process (project background and the nature of language education…