This synthesis paper provides a state-of-the-art analysis of the field of library and information science based on the results of a content analysis of its literature, including selected journals, conference proceedings, dissertations, and ERIC input. The 14 trends and issues identified by the analysis include developments in technology,…

Three relatively distinct groups demonstrating personal and professional interest in environmental education for adults are environmentalists, environmental educators, and adult educators. The agenda of each group, its potential contribution, and its limitations are discussed. The development of communication and cooperation among these groups,…

The political ideas of John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and other Founders of the United States have been a rich civic legacy for successive generations of citizens. An important means of ensuring that these ideas on constitutional government continue to inspire and guide people in the 21st century lies in…

Recognizing the underrepresentation and poor academic performance of Mexican American students in mathematics- and science-based fields, the guide (1) reviews student- and institution-related factors contributing to mathematics and science declines, (2), describes selective secondary and college mathematics and science model programs, (3)…

This collection of five articles presents the viewpoints of experts on various aspects of the field of instructional technology (IT). Wesley C. Meierhenry traces the history of IT from its original emphasis on audiovisual media to its current concern with instructional design and the use of systems and systematic approaches. Henry T. Ingle…

This digest summarizes what is known about scholastic achievement in general education at the college level, and is based on a study using the College Basic Academic Subjects Examination (College BASE), a criterion-referenced achievement test of general education skills and competencies. College BASE assesses achievement in four subject areas:…

Using a computer should be an important part of children's education. Some guidelines are provided to help parents evaluate the value of computer use in their children's school. School policies should provide for a well-equipped laboratory, a variety of appropriate software, and a way for students to network with other students. All students,…

Many cooperative civic education projects among U.S. and Central/Eastern European educators have emerged since the end of Communist Party Rule in the former Czechoslovakia. This digest describes a collaborative curriculum development project, Civic Education for the Czech Republic (CECR). The objective of CECR is to revise the existing social…

Engineering instruction is examined as revealed in a study of science education at two-year colleges which involved a review of the literature, an analysis of the catalogs and class schedules of 175 institutions, and a survey of 144 engineering instructors. The report first presents a general profile of engineering technology education based on…

The four teaching units of this publication focus on Japanese constitutional law and history, while providing opportunities for comparison with the constitutional experience of the United States. The four units have been designed as a comprehensive course of study that emphasizes understanding of the historical and cultural context of contemporary…

This digest discusses some of the major trends and issues found in a systematic content review of the professional literature of library and information science. Two "megatrends" are identified and discussed: (1) the concern for the impact of technology upon every facet of library work, in academic, school, public, and special libraries;…

Community colleges can play an important role in increasing the number of people in the scientific talent pool and diversifying its ethnic and gender composition. In an effort to recruit more women and minorities into two-year college science, math, and engineering technology programs, community colleges are engaging in a wide range of special…

Outdoor education is an informal method of teaching and learning which offers opportunities for elementary school students, regardless of intellectual abilities, to learn about and appreciate their environment and acquire skills with which to enjoy a lifetime of creative, productive, and healthful living. Outdoor education can enrich, vitalize,…

Literature concerning the relationship between higher education and politics is reviewed. Attention is directed to federal, state, and local levels of government and to institutional politics. Federal involvement in higher education, governmental regulation, higher education lobbying, and the emergence of the new Department of Education are…

This report describes a study that examined the scholastic achievement of college students in general education. The study evaluated the College Basic Academic Subjects Examination (College BASE) scores of 74,535 students who were tested between 1988 and 1993 at 56 institutions of higher education. The study found that: (1) overall, scores in…