Driven by studies showing that Millennials (ages 18-24) have adopted IM (instant messaging) as a standard communications medium, many libraries are reaching out to their own patrons in this way. At the same time, some of these libraries have invested thousands of dollars in vendor-based chat reference solutions that provide duplicate…

This paper discusses issues arising from three case studies of the ways people have become tertiary teachers in a polytechnic, a wananga (Maori tertiary institution) and a university in New Zealand. Despite institutional differences, the teachers gained most of their teaching knowledge and skills on the job, learning informally and experientially,…

A high school program to prepare severely handicapped students for supported community work changed its original purpose, to develop jobs that would provide full time support work in the community after graduation, to include part-time possibilities. Advantages of incorporating part-time work include eliminating boredom and providing greater…

As the Chinese economy opens up to the outside world, the decision to engage in joint ventures with foreign capital is among the most important national policies. Significant direct consequences of joint ventures are the influx of foreign capital, expanding exports, and employment creation. However, the great importance of joint ventures lies in…

The site visit report describes the private, non-profit Community Work Services program located in Madison, Wisconsin, which provides community-based vocational services to adults (currently 33) with a wide range of developmental disabilities. The program philosophy is that all persons should have the option of working in individually arranged and…

This report compares the projected savings of using computer based training to conduct training for newly hired pilots to the results of that application. New Hire training, one of a number of programs conducted continuously at the United Airline Flight Operations Training Center, is designed to assure that any newly hired pilot will be able to…

It is argued that law school faculty should be encouraged to spend sabbatical leaves working in a law office to renew understanding of the daily practice of law and of practical aspects of trials and case appeals. Learning occurring during this period could then be shared with both students and faculty colleagues. (MSE)

Middle School Math Project at Education Development Center in Newton, Massachusetts, puts industry representatives into classroom to free teachers for professional development and to show students real-life applications of science and math. Although the program is no magic bullet for achieving teacher professionalism, this innovative approach buys…

A recently implemented British regulation requires that for teacher education program accreditation, program teaching staff have recent, successful experience teaching in the schools. Discrepancies between the intent of the regulation and the experience of one teacher educator in fulfilling its requirement are discussed, focusing on definitions of…

The nation's school boards, as currently constituted and empowered, underlie most school governance problems. The superintendent frequently must sidestep the board in order to move the district forward. The experts (administrators) take marching orders from an educational laity. Superintendents should be intermediaries; principals need full…

Anticipating a 50 percent turnover of principals in the next few years, school districts and university training programs are exploring mentoring as one way to help aspiring and beginning principals learn complex administrative tasks and ease into their roles. This monograph highlights some formal administrator mentorship programs in Oregon.…

Using the UK Labour Force Survey, this paper considers whether graduate employment is more important in the small and medium-size enterprise (SME) sector in Northern Ireland than in other regions of the UK. The authors disaggregate their analysis by gender, occupation and industry to provide a detailed breakdown. The issue of whether graduates are…

Local and state government agencies and private companies providing hazardous material emergency response services are attempting to meet the minimum training requirements for their employees as specified in federal law. However, none of the employers in a pilot survey met the requirements of the federal law for employer certification of employee…

Describes the situations encountered in an academic library when hiring and training hearing impaired individuals as technicians in the library's cataloging department, as well as the support systems and training modifications used for these employees. (CLB)

This policy brief examines the professional development and support that teachers receive to help them work with students with special needs. In a survey commissioned by the Center for the Future of Teaching and Learning, 88% of all California teachers reported having special education students in their classes, yet only 30% reported having…