Is the United States getting it wrong when it comes to educating tomorrow's innovators in critical fields? It has been known for years that the only way to compete globally in information technology, engineering, nanotechnology, robotics and other fields is to give students the best educational opportunities possible. But do individuals have a…

Reported in this conference proceedings are educational activities related to mathematics education from several countries. The conference was devoted primarily to two major topics closely connected with the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project (UCSMP): (1) Development of an applications-oriented mathematics curriculum for all…

The stability of the Japanese university system encourages conformity, which may also stifle creativity and initiative. Japan needs reforms that inject flexibility and reverse the traditional focus of education. Current reform proposals to expand graduate education, break down the chair system, and expand university-industry collaboration are seen…

Background: For more than 30 years since 1972, the Government of Japan has contributed funds to UNESCO for implementation of the Mobile Training Team (MTT) projects. The MTT assists Member States enhance their capacity in development oriented educational innovation through intra-country study visits, training courses, workshops and technical…

Nowadays, mathematics has come to be increasingly put into practical use in various fields in society. However, Japanese students dislike mathematics. The purpose of this study is to consider the significance of teaching modelling. In this paper, I take up "Fuzzy modelling" as teaching material for senior high school students. As a…

Comparison of countries with strong industrial achievement (Germany, Japan, United States) and weaker growth (England, France, Russia) reveals a strong association between economic development and policies supporting industry-education collaboration. Positive and inhibiting mechanisms for industrial innovation were identified. (SK)

The contribution of higher education institutions to regional development is a theme that has attracted growing attention in recent years. Knowledge institutions are increasingly expected not only to conduct education and research, but also to play an active role in the economic, social and cultural development of their regions. The extent to…

Presents six case studies dealing with vocational and educational guidance. Studies give insights into vocational guidance in Peru, Japan, Nigeria, New Zealand, Australia, and East Germany. (KO)

High definition television (HDTV) is an innovation in television that promises improvement in the image the television receiver displays. There are major differences between HDTV and the current National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) formats, and these technological changes are at the heart of debates over the introduction of HDTV. The…

The new media--including videodisks, microcomputers, and communication networks--are now becoming widely accepted in the world of education. It is predicted that as a result there will be many rapid changes in school education, both in content and in methods. In order to analyze rates, degree, and methods of utilizing the new media, the NHK Radio…

Fourteen innovative educational programs implemented by countries in Asia and the Pacific region are described to aid other educators engaged in planning and implementing innovative programs. The programs are: faculty-oriented breakfast programme (Australia); farm school on the air (India); multimedia, inservice teacher training for primary…

Traces the growth and movement of Japanese research and technology efforts and achievements. Explains policies related to science and technology and examines resultant actions. Provides perspectives on the future direction and role of creativity in Japanese research. (ML)

More than 20 years ago, A Nation At Risk warned that "a rising tide of mediocrity" threatened the U.S. education system and that the United States would be unable to effectively compete with other economies because of a scarcity of graduates in science and technology. In 2001, No Child Left Behind reiterated that message, pushing through…

Reviews trends in the use of ICT (information and communication technology) in Japanese higher education institutions. Highlights include recent trends in national policy; educational policy; use of communications satellites; broadcasting; Internet use; videoconferencing; issues concerning virtual universities; and use of multimedia. (Author/LRW)

Describes a cross-curricular mathematics and physics course offered at Kanazawa Technical College in Japan. The course facilitates students' understanding of the connection between mathematics and physics through hands-on activities. Outlines the advantages of the cross-curricular approach, including students' increased levels of interest in…