The problem of this study was to assess the characteristics of innovations that were perceived by two samples of potential adopters of social studies innovations. The purpose was to determine if those perceptions were related to the potential adopters' attitudes toward the innovations and to adoption of innovations, and if relative advantage,…

This paper describes efforts made by the faculty at Santa Fe Community College (Florida) to provide a learning-centered instructional environment for students in an introductory statistics class. Innovation in instruction has been stressed as institutions switch from "teacher-centered classrooms" to "student-centered…

CEEFAX, the British Broadcasting Corporation's news and information service, allows viewers to select from and read 100 pages of reporting written in words and figures on the television screen. A receiver equipped with CEEFAX has extra controls with which to select the service and to dial the page. This optional service requires a built-in decoder…

This paper explores the development of students' knowledge of mathematical procedures. Students' tendency to develop rote knowledge of procedures has been widely commented on. I postulate an alternative, more "intelligent" endpoint for the development of procedural knowledge, where students choose to deviate from solving patterns on…

The communication discipline is ambivalent about public speaking. Even accomplished speakers experience ambivalence in the rush of adrenaline before presenting a speech--knowing its importance yet wondering if they have prepared a speech which is fitting for this audience and occasion. The communication discipline studies communication in a broad…

This paper presents findings of a study that investigated factors that contribute to the engagement of students. Based on the theoretical model of Newmann, Wehlage, and Lamborn (1992), the study examined the effect of instructional approaches of teachers, contextual features of classrooms, and attributes of student experience on students'…

Focusing on investigating processes of curricular and instructional change for the period 1976-82, the study examined change processes in 2 medium size (400-500 students) Vermont rural high schools not known for being innovative. The research framework was constructed around the change process model and accompanying subprocesses of mobilization,…

This paper defines faculty development (FD), organization development (OD), and instructional development (ID), and discusses the interrelationships between them in effecting change in an institution of higher education. FD and OD provide the individual and organizational readiness necessary for adoption of an innovation, while ID focuses on the…

The effects are examined of an innovative experience on the classroom practices of teachers who have implemented an individualized instructional model in an externally supported program and are currently teaching in regular public school classrooms where the model is not supported. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and…

The Center for Educational Innovation-Public Education Association (CEI-PEA) established the Colman Genn Lecture Series to honor the work and achievements of CEI-PEA Senior Fellow Colman Genn. The annual lecture takes place in New York City and features individuals who are making significant contributions to the advancement of public education for…

This paper is about a study, which has been carried out at a chemical production facility in Izmir, Turkey during the spring of 2006 using Participatory Action Research process in a training course exploiting Learning Management System. The system has been tested with 12 chemists working in this factory. The technical training course was carried…

This paper describes a longitudinal study of 10 racially mixed secondary schools across the country where the leadership decided to move toward reducing ability grouping or tracking in their school. Examples of the schools under study included an Appalachian school in a moderately-sized city and a wealthy suburban school of a large metropolitan…

This ethnographic study of mandated innovation in an urban school district analyzed teachers' emerging perspectives of curricular and concomitant administrative change. It responds to recent calls in educational research for studies that add to the understanding of the complicated processes in school worlds. Specifically, the study investigated…

To enhance the professional development of teachers and encourage an ongoing climate of innovation and reform, while providing for direct benefits for students, Australia's Schools Commission instituted a program allowing funds for curricular innovation to be granted directly to teachers. Interviews with a random sample of 45 of these grantees,…

The new Federal Youth Center in Pleasanton, California is attempting to pioneer in successful ways of correcting offenders. Constructed at a cost of five and one half million dollars, the correctional institution offers many innovative programs. As part of the Federal Bureau of Prisons building program, three objectives are to be kept in mind: (1)…