Discusses how schools can avoid mistakes in building their school-improvement plans. The two most common mistakes are (1) using measures of student learning that are not sensitive to the actual learning occurring, and (2) having no system for interpreting and using the data. (Contains 1 figure and 11 references.) (WFA)

Discusses data warehousing, which provides information more fully responsive to local, state, and federal data needs. Such a system allows educators to generate reports and analyses that supply information, provide accountability, explore relationships among different kinds of data, and inform decision-makers. (Contains one figure and eight…

This paper studied contextual barriers inhibiting implementation of the Life-Centered Career Education/Employability Enhancement Strategies curriculum, which contains career education assessment and instructional materials for high school students with mild disabilities. Barriers included competing administrative commitments, scarcity of…

Discussion of how to develop culturally based instructional materials highlights the development of a pilot series of videotape programs designed for elderly, non-reading Hispanic diabetes patients. Topics discussed include needs assessment; content analysis; learner analysis, including language, reading abilities, and ethnicity; production…

Discussion of the role of instructional technology in higher education highlights a model for Integrated Instructional Technology Services (IITS). Topics discussed include instructional development; faculty development; learning resources; media development; instructional telecommunications; instructional computing; research and evaluation; and…

Examines ways in which teachers may follow the California Framework for History-Social Science Education prescriptions in integrating and correlating the history-social science curriculum. Suggests three possible departures from current practice which might prove valuable for teachers. (LS)

Twelve state-of-the-art articles discuss current developments educational media and technology. Topics examined include research, information technology, networking, and telecommunications. Four articles are also published as ERIC Digests. All of the articles contain references. (SLW)

A Tel Aviv University (Israel) study applied qualitative methods to evaluate a model for improvement of university teaching. A departmental instruction specialist treats instructional quality issues comprehensively within a department. Two years of implementation in the physics department have resulted in increased instructional quality, faculty…

Describes development shells and navigation templates that were designed by American Airlines trainers for the development of interactive multimedia instruction. Development time and cost are considered; functional requirements, including learning objectives, are discussed; and development shells for lessons, skills assessment, and proficiency…

Analyzes high school physical educators' work from curricular and instructional perspectives, suggesting that the ecology of instructional physical education (PE) cannot be understood without examining how PE is embedded within school ecology. PE is unlikely to achieve prominent status in schools if it continues to be delivered in traditional…

Forty-seven findings present generalities about (1) instructional analysis; (2) instructional design and development; (3) instructional presentation; (4) exploitation of educational technology; (5) evaluation of instruction; and (6) instructional management. Related comments provide explanations and reference information about each finding,…

Presents a plan for developing and teaching an interdisciplinary curriculum unit combining social studies/social science and English/language arts. Argues that an integrated curriculum based on history and social studies is the key to an effective interdisciplinary unit. Provides suggested resources and instructional ideas. (CFR)

Describes an objective-based curriculum, Native Peoples of the Southwest, that was developed to educate elementary school children about Native American cultures. Program materials are described, including printed materials, slides, audiotapes, overhead transparencies, and artifacts; field testing is reported; and guidelines are offered for…

Contends that instruction at the primary school level should be consistent with the child's development and experiences. Describes how geography's "Five Themes" can be taught using an interdisciplinary approach. Includes three lesson plans divided among concrete, semiconcrete, and abstract levels of cognitive development. (CFR)

Effects of a traditional instructional format and technology-enhanced anchored instruction on the immediate and long-term acquisition of knowledge was evaluated with 100 university students in a special-education course. The CD-ROM-based anchored-instruction group outperformed the traditional instruction group on the multiple-choice follow-up test…