The history of the ecological model, which views the handicapped child and special education intervention in the context of intricate relationships, is reviewed. (DB)

Summarizes the literature which examines the formal and informal methods by which library reference services instruct the library user in the pursuit of information. (FM)

Literature on qualifications for teachers of gifted and talented students is reviewed; and "andragogy", an approach to helping mature students learn, is described in terms of its implications for four basic characteristics of gifted students. (CL)

The author reviews the literature on open education programs for gifted students. A definition of open education is offered, the objectives for open education are considered, and the differences between traditional and open education are examined. (SB)

This article, concerning the importance of and need for educational theory, elucidates the etymology of the word "theory," describes the importance of ethnomethodology to educational principles, and views the concerns of epistemology to curriculum theory. The question "What is the good of theory?" is debated in relation to the…

This paper presents a metatheoretical analysis of "approaches" to moral education and how we make sense of them. Such approaches are commonly analyzed with simple, binary category schemes, for example, being categorized as either 'indirect' or 'direct' in nature. This kind of minimal framework clearly oversimplifies the complex nature of any…

This fact sheet offers general information about traumatic brain injury. Information includes a definition, incidence, individual characteristics, and educational implications. The fact sheet notes that the designation of traumatic brain injury as a separate category of disability signals that schools should provide children and youth with access…

Recent research indicates that public information campaigns and promotional programs can have an impact on the extent to which citizens involve themselves in crime prevention. Subgroups such as the elderly may especially benefit from efforts more carefully tailored to their own needs and circumstances. The design of successful programs requires…

The paper reviews the history and considers future aspects of providing education to intellectually gifted children in Australia. The period of 1960-1975 is seen as one of limited interest in gifted education, while the years 1976-80 are classified as times of greater experimentation on a state by state basis. The third and current phase is…

The paper examines educational issues of older learning disabled (LD) students in Canada in light of responses by 165 principals. Among findings were that 71% of the secondary and 87% of the elementary schools had LD programs; that 70% of the secondary and 55% of the elementary schools did not have inservice programs to acquaint teachers with LD…

Research on individualized instruction for the gifted is reviewed, and several instructional models or techniques which may have potential for allowing teachers to individualize instruction for the gifted or all students are considered. Support is offered for the accelerated class model. Among the educational methods reviewed are internships,…

Described is the concept of Benjamin Bloom's Mastery Learning as a teaching method. The author concludes that, by its very definition, Mastery Learning cannot be superimposed on traditional education. (KC)

Review of problem-based learning (PBL) finds that innovation is comprised of four elements: an ill-structured problem, substantive content, student apprenticeship, and self-directed learning. Research evidence suggests that PBL is better than traditional instruction on long-term information retention, conceptual understanding, and self-directed…

Reviews the literature on the use of process observation as an effective method for training group workers. Describes the development and implementation of a process observation system as a training tool. (Author/KW)

This fact sheet offers definitions of the three types of spina bifida, outlines their incidence, describes characteristics of individuals with spina bifida, and reviews educational implications. The fact sheet emphasizes that school programs should be flexible to accommodate these students' special needs and frequent absences, that children with…