Examines the role of open and distance learning in South Africa's plans for educational reconstruction and discusses the educational consequences of apartheid. Reviews the delivery of adult basic education and training programs using distance methods. Concludes that some areas are likely to remain inaccessible to all possible modes of delivery.…

Expounds that "The Geography Discipline Network Guides on Teaching, Learning, and Assessment" that were produced by the English Geography Discipline Network are a worthwhile addition to the efforts to promote geographic literacy. Maintains that there are deficiencies since the guides aim only at individual lecturers and instructors of geography.…

This digest contains three articles which consider ways to enhance the effectiveness of special education programs. The first article offers guidelines for more fully including special education in the school community, in the context of broader educational reform and restructuring efforts. First the need for reform is addressed. Next, indicators…

This paper synthesizes current thought about the role of networking technologies in instruction and addresses the need for higher education to create affordable and flexible student-centered "distributed learning environments" employing networking technologies. First, relevant trends are identified in the areas of information volume, technology…

Argues that technology now offers the opportunity for neutralizing the conflicting demands of child-centered, progressive, humanistic education with the back-to-basics demands voiced in recent years. Analyzes why education has had difficulty in responding to the potential of new technology. (JDH)

The management theories of W. Edwards Deming are known as Total Quality Management (TQM) and advocate building quality into organizational processes rather than analyzing outcomes. Although TQM was originally developed for the workplace, educational reformers have been applying its principles to higher education. The original 14 points of Deming's…

Eight years ago the Cambridge, Massachusetts, public school system initiated alternative schools and methods to make education more relevant to various students. The article describes seven different alternative schools and programs for basics, moral development, preparation for work, relaxed classrooms, or discipline. (MF)

Describes a study done at a public community college that assessed the teaching styles of faculty, their technology use, as well as the factors that influenced their acceptance or rejection of distance technologies. Found that faculty acknowledged the need for change and were aware of technological innovations. (JDI)

A rapidly-implemented, comprehensive reform of postcompulsory secondary education in Norway is chronicled and discussed. The changes included new curriculum design and content, instructional materials and methods, comprehensive inservice teacher training, and extensive planning and development. Considerations in the approach taken to change are…

Provides an overview of contemporary elementary-secondary education of black students in Southern Africa, focusing on curricula; instructional delivery; learning materials and equipment; examinations; enrollment and class sizes; teachers; teacher/student ratios; drop-out, failure, and repeater rates; economic considerations; rural-urban…

This paper focuses on educational services that attempt to contribute to the quality of life of students with intellectual disabilities. It addresses, from an Australian perspective, the areas of special educational facilities and their educational function, policy and curriculum, teaching strategies, integration, and parent role. (JDD)

This article describes an innovation that embraces elements of both technical and professional models of school improvement within the elementary division of a large school system. Emphasis is on development of the reciprocal learning instructional strategy for teaching academic content in regular classrooms and enhancing teachers' adoption and…

Researchers from Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) have analyzed thousands of quantitative studies published over the last 30 years to determine what works in classrooms and in schools. In two earlier meta-analyses, McREL identified teacher and school practices that have the largest effects on student achievement. McREL has…

The purpose of this article is to provide a brief background about the educational system in the United Arab Emirates and particularly describe the present types of programs and services offered within the country with respect to individuals with special needs. In addition, findings of an ongoing study about the attitudes of teachers and…

Despite common moves in a number of countries to raise the quality and visibility of early childhood services (for example, through the introduction of curricular frameworks), both professionalisation policies and understandings of the professional role remain distinctly variegated across Europe and beyond. Whereas early childhood systems with…