Lulea University of Technology (Sweden) has, for the last few years, deployed an Internet-based learning environment, mStar, to distribute courses to students independent of time and geographic distance. The mStar environment gives remotely attending students possibilities equal to traditionally attending students to take an active part in a…

A theory of university autonomy is evolved that considers such elements as research, student recruitment and admission, physical environment, and administrative organization. The higher education systems of Sweden (before and after reform), Germany, the United States, and Britain are compared. (MSE)

Examines the notion of an early childhood education center organized as a series of houses around a common core of shared facilities. Discusses examples of child-care centers in Sweden and explores ideas that can promote functional facilities. Suggestions include ideas about physical-motor activities areas, administration offices, centralized…

Reports a study of 559 children of 5-6 years to determine language interaction differences in males and females in day care centers and part-time preschools in Sweden. A significant correlation was found between sex and form of preschool in regards to language interaction between the child and the personnel. (RJC)

This article traces Sweden's decision to indefinitely delay their previous plan to phase out nuclear power generators which had been scheduled for 1995. Discussed as major factors in this delay are the excellent safety record of current reactors and the unacceptable economic, as well as environmental, consequences of switching to other power…

Interactive Simulated Patient (ISP) is a computer-based simulation tool designed to provide medical students with the opportunity to practice their clinical problem solving skills. The ISP system allows students to perform most clinical decision-making procedures in a simulated environment, including history taking in natural language, many…

Traditional non-computerized learning environments are typically founded on an understanding of learning as acquiring silence for an effective "individual learning process". Recently, it has also been reported that the high expectations for the impact of computer-based technology on educational practice have not been realized. This paper…

In recent years the OECD has undertaken the evaluation of early childhood education and care (ECEC) on behalf of ministers of education in a number of countries in order to support quality improvement in this field. This article is based on a workshop for the national coordinators of early childhood policy in Sweden, 2003, which dealt with…

A multi-site case study of three Swedish schools examined the dimensions of trust, responsibility, shared power (democracy), and global workforce competence as required by a decade-old national education reforms. A key finding was the existence of progressive educational practices including constructivist epistemology, evidenced by the schools'…

Research during the 1960s and early 1970s suggested that the different outcomes of schooling for different students were due to factors outside the school. There was no consensus among the researchers over which factors outside the school had the greatest effect on student achievement. Swedish educational research has made many important…

Twelve day care centers in a Swedish commune were systematically observed. Centers were selected on the basis of responses to a questionnaire on attitudes about upbringing which was answered by all the personnel at the 104 day care centers in the commune. Four of the selected centers represented a so-called "present-focused" upbringing…

School climates at 12 day care centers in Sweden were compared to investigate effects of center climates on children's social and emotional behavior. Observations and interviews conducted at the day care centers revealed differences in center climates related to child-rearing patterns, patterns of interaction, the distribution of power, and in…

Public education in Sweden and the United States has long been viewed as a critical social investment that fires the engines of economic productivity and social progress. This paper presents the findings of two studies that examined superintendents' self-descriptions of their administrative work, particularly in the areas of instructional…

Describes Sweden's massive effort to bring democracy to the workplace through programs of worker education and participation in industrial decision making. Stresses that the United States can learn much from the Swedish workplace education experience. (Author/MJL)

A study examining why some Swedish teachers use outdoor education interviewed 10 female primary school teachers. The teachers used outdoor education to know their pupils better and achieve a more relaxed teacher role. They had the curiosity and courage to create different learning environments and did not feel they needed to be experts on nature…