Despite the abundance of karst terrains and a universal lack of knowledge about the role they play in supplying freshwater resources, informal environmental education through guided show cave tours is poorly understood. This study evaluated techniques for educating cave guides on how to disseminate information about human-karst interactions to…

This research describes a professional book study experience and offers insight into its use in supporting professional development. Framed in situated learning theory, this qualitative case study examined the perceptions of 12 educators who voluntarily participated in multiple professional book studies over 4 years. Two major themes were found in…

This article will showcase the power of collaborative relationships to transform pre-service learning and in-service practice in the area of inclusion. A middle school principal and college professor in Special Education partnered to address the need for support of inclusion students in schools and pre-service education in EPP's. The collaboration…

Developing technology literacy for faculty, staff, and students is critical to a successful technology program. The technology inservice program designed for a Selmer, Tennessee, high school addressed core skills, best adult-learning practices and places, and evaluation considerations. Creating a small room dedicated to continuous technology…

Teacher aides have made a major contribution to educationally disadvantaged children in Tennessee. Title I directors recommend that: (1) the teacher aide program should be continued; (2) inservice training programs for teachers and aides should be coordinated; and (3) additional study on qualification and educational preparation of aides is…

Examines four innovative staff training programs in Florida, Tennessee, Ohio, and Washington: four states with varying human service traditions and social needs. Maintains that those involved with the design and development of child protective services training programs should take into account the significant strides made by these four programs.…

From 2004-2007, the University of Memphis carried out the NSF-funded Tri-P-LETS (Three P Learning Environment for Teachers and Students) project to improve local high-school computer science curricula. The project reached a total of 58 classrooms in eleven high schools emphasizing problem solving skills, programming concepts as opposed to syntax,…

Describes how the University of Tennessee-Southeast Sex Desegregation Assistance Center (SSDAC) provided services to meet the desegregation needs (eliminating sex bias in textbooks, training an equity task force, responding to an Office for Civil Rights' investigation, self-evaluating Title IX compliance, establishing equity in vocational…

Regular classroom teachers should be provided with inservice training for teaching handicapped students mainstreamed in their classes. Courses in teaching exceptional children should be required at undergraduate and graduate levels. States should require teachers to obtain competencies for teaching mainstreamed students and should appropriate…

To improve elementary science instruction in rural and small schools, the University of Tennessee at Martin developed a successful research-based model for inservice teacher education that included teacher developed curricular materials, multidisciplinary content, hands-on science instruction, local team leadership development, and joint training…

Examines second and third grade data from Project STAR, a reduced class size study. Observers viewed teachers, some of whom received inservice training on effective teaching and class type. Observers' narratives and ratings of class activities and interaction indicated little change in teaching practices regardless of class type or training. (SM)

A survey of 62 early childhood educators in North Carolina and Tennessee found that respondents had frequent and significant concerns about their knowledge and utilization of assistive technology. Training areas were identified that address the concerns and barriers regarding assistive technology. Implications for preservice and inservice training…