This guide describes the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology's (SIAST's) (Canada) Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) program. PLAR is an evaluation through a valid and reliable process of the knowledge and skills a student has learned through previous education, training, or experience, to determine the…

Training effective camp staff starts with reviewing last year's schedule. Desired competencies can be determined by examining existing documents, asking former staff, consulting industry materials, and projecting the future. Specific skills can be taught in orientation and through guided informal experiential learning during the season. A climate…

Describes a gradual, three-month process for getting teachers interested in using a microcomputer, including placing the microcomputer first in the principal's office and then in the teachers' lounge; providing resources and inservice sessions with a consultant; encouraging teacher use at home and in class; and buying new software. (RW)

This article explains the use of a community mapping methodology to identify natural learning environments and inclusion opportunities for young children with disabilities. Four steps are discussed: (1) selecting kinds of learning opportunities for mapping; (2) gathering information about community learning sources; (3) developing an informational…

This guide offers Spanish-speaking parents ways in which they can help their children learn about science at home and in the community. Science is a way of looking at the world. It uses everyday techniques such as observation and classification to give us information about things and how they work. Advice to parents that want to support their…

Designed for parents who want to know what they can do to help their child have a good start in developing prereading skills and early reading development, this booklet provides parents with information that will help them give their child a maximum opportunity for success in reading. The booklet includes a list of reading readiness skills,…

Describes the Gateway Clubs, which work with local authorities to provide the mentally handicapped with opportunities for the enjoyment of leisure and recreation facilities. Makes recommendations for further developing voluntary and statutory authorities' collaboration, raising the general level of provision and leadership, and allocating…

This guide focuses on appropriate techniques for the evaluation of electronic media educational programs. Such evaluation helps to provide the educator with the feedback that is missing whenever there is no direct contact with students, and also with information on the relative worth of an educational program. The four-part publication includes:…

This manual for directors of school-age child care (SACC) programs contains six sections. Section I provides a rationale for SACC. Section II describes characteristics of school-age children. The extensive Section III discusses characteristics of high quality SACC. After an initial discussion of the importance of out-of-school time, the section…

Ordinary nonwork activities like fundraising, coaching, and community advocacy can serve as sources of learning for managers in such areas as interpersonal skills, handling multiple tasks, using relevant background information, and leadership practice. Private life encourages leadership development by offering managers experience developing their…

Interactive science and technology centers are described that emphasize "hands-on" science. Examined are the outreach programs offered by many centers which include traveling exhibitions and published resource materials. Examples of follow-up activities to a center visit are included. (KR)

Examined is the contribution that hands-on, interactive centers can make to science education. The characteristics of informal and formal learning are compared and discussed. (KR)

Literature on the influence of computers on learning in formal classroom and informal out-of-school contexts is reviewed, and the primary policy considerations in diffusion of computer-based educational technology are examined. The article suggests that the boundaries between formal and informal learning environments can be overcome with…

Designed to supplement a short course for parents and their middle school children, this document provides organized, cooperative learning activities to be done at the zoo and at home. It is intended that the course be a vehicle for promoting positive attitudes toward the study of science in parents and their children and to increase their levels…

This booklet is designed to supplement a short course on microcomputers for parents and their middle school children. The course activities are designed to increase the computer literacy of the participants and also to provide an opportunity for parents and children to spend time with each other. The course is intended to take place during a…