The development of computer technology is considered, the concept of computer literacy is defined, and the role of teachers in educational microcomputer programs is discussed. The field of commercially produced software for microcomputers is reviewed. (For related articles, see EC 142 959-962.) (Author)

The expectation of educators for more than a decade has been that they would be aware of and attend to gender issues. The British Columbia Visual Arts Curricula states "Gender-equitable education will initially focus on girls in order to redress historical inequities." However, it is important to be informed about the issues that…

This issue is intended to help trustees understand how their boards can monitor the complex responsibilities of today's faculty and encourage work arrangements that best tap faculty expertise, improve the professoriate's professional development, and advance the institution's academic mission. Trustees must consider the modern academic landscape,…

Traditional approaches to education use the level of inputs as a measure of effectiveness. Outcomes-based education (OBE) is based on the concept that educational success should be measured by what students learn, rather than by what they are taught. As a systems-level restructuring tool, OBE calls for success for all students, not just academic…

Parent conferencing is a way to dramatically improve home/school relationships. Parent conferences, at their very best, provide the teacher with useful information about individual students. More importantly, however, they create a parent/teacher team atmosphere, with each member contributing his or her knowledge and experience for the benefit of…

This first volume of "Portals: A Journal of the Idaho Council International Reading Association" presents those interested in literacy development with a new forum for discussion of ideas, trends, and issues related to literacy teaching and learning. Articles in the first issue are: "Caleb's Journal" (Ann Desaulniers);…

Stressing that building vocabulary knowledge is a continuously developing skill, acquired over a lifetime and in a variety of ways, this concept paper suggests instructional strategies that lead to word knowledge. Following a research summary and a section on implications for instructions, the paper focuses on the various instructional strategies…

The monograph considers the role of teachers in child abuse prevention and reporting from the perspective of a New Zealand educator. A 1985 study of the author is summarized in which a training program resulted in commitment by 80% of teachers involved to identify and report child abuse and by 60% of teachers to further educate themselves in child…

This report discusses the exploration of teaching that occurred in the Knight Collaborative National Roundtable on Teaching held in the summer of 2001. The participants were almost entirely family members from a range of disciplines and institutions. All participants shared a deep commitment to teaching, but the question who owns teaching?…

A collection of humorous anecdotes, poems, and essays written by M. Dale Baughman, who is retiring as editor of "Contemporary Education," focuses on a variety of topics including: (1) humor and the child; (2) the school's role in community life; (3) school administration; and (4) educational research. Also included is an editorial about…

The use of multicultural literature in the classroom can play a significant part in the learning and acceptance process of students. Multicultural books should be brought into the classroom to enhance textbook materials in all subject matters. To implement a multicultural program in the classroom, teachers must become knowledgeable about the…

This serial issue deals with how to integrate a whole language approach in secondary schools. Following a short outline of the differences between whole language principles and skills-based precepts, key tenets of whole language are briefly discussed. The next section of the issue deals with principal-teacher partnerships, and these are followed…

The popular notion that excellence in sports is inherited is seriously questioned by experts. The belief shared by many sports specialists as well as by some top athletes is that the characteristics that breed success in sports are developed. Sports experts offer the following advice to those who wish to improve their own performance: (1) relax;…

Research shows that children who are not proficient readers by the end of third grade perform poorly in other subjects and have difficulties throughout the course of their schooling. The knowledge exists to teach all but a small percentage of students to become proficient readers. Despite this knowledge, a troubling number of children do not learn…

The number of children at risk of school failure because of poverty, illness, divorce, drug and alcohol abuse, frequent relocation, and other adverse circumstances is increasing. Although some teachers may feel as though these problems are beyond them, research points to educators' actions that can alleviate such problems by fostering educational…