In this article we examine how instructors make decisions about task design in telecollaboration and the factors that influence these decisions during the actual implementation of the tasks. We begin with a review of the recent literature of online intercultural exchanges to identify and describe a typology of 12 different types of tasks and task…

National policy agendas for quality assurance in higher education (HE) are increasingly influenced by supra-national trends and decisions. Taking Spain, Switzerland and The Netherlands as examples, the paper analyses how supranational trends are re-interpreted at the national level and how recently formulated national policies combine the demands…

Examines educational improvement in Spanish schools, focusing on participation and leadership with the principalship as a point of reference. Describes how in Spain, in fact, there have been few advances in democratic participation and little development of educational leadership in the schools. (Contains 71 references.) (WFA)

Using problems associated with Spain's educational reform efforts as a point of departure, this article identifies and discusses a set of universal rules or principles that apply to the reform process. These principles relate to social context, pacing, resources, government and grassroots participation, and research. (IAH)