This account of practice considers action learning within an accredited leadership course at a post-1992 university. It outlines a more individualistic approach than that envisioned by Reg Revans and questions how this technique, inherited from a Staff Development colleague, could potentially be improved.

The statutory right to request time to train for all employees is the right way forward for UK plc and for workers. The coalition government not implementing this legislation in full would be a backward step. The author says this with such certainty because the status quo in which a third of employers don't train their workers and 10 million…

The paper describes the introduction of Web 2.0 techniques and tools at the Yarra Plenty public library in Victoria, beginning with library staff. The author argues that as libraries move from Web 1.0 type delivery systems to the social networking world of Library 2.0 librarians need to deploy and make accessible these radically different systems,…

Reviews models of staff development in British higher education. Five micro models of staff development practice are described and evaluated; three macro models of staff development responsibility are identified; relationships between micro and macro models are discussed; and the most suitable models are suggested. (20 references) (LRW)

The Ciba chemical plant in Monthey, Switzerland, follows the Ciba-Geigy Industrial Group's general environment policy. They apply economic, less polluting production methods, dispose of waste efficiently, and train staff in ecological responsibility. (JOW)

Staff in British further education colleges need training in responding more flexibly to the needs of diverse adult learners. Staff development should focus on four stages of flexible teaching/learning: material and resource preparation, tutorials, study, and assessment, review, and reflection. (SK)

The United Kingdom's Open College uses the "Quality Code of Practice" as a framework for developing procedures and standards. This is an account of current developments that indicate the nature of their strategies. (JOW)

Hamilton's critique of the National Federation for Educational Research (NFER) study, Progress in Adult Literacy, addresses the conceptualization of literacy, flaws in the research design, school-oriented focus, and validity and reliability of tests used; she suggests a research strategy. Brooks summarizes NFER's response. (SK)

Examines the role of the secondary school secretary in Great Britain as that role is prescribed in job descriptions; performed in fact; and perceived by secretaries, administrators, teachers, and others. Suggests that aspects of the role as the role is perceived may indicate possible avenues for staff development. (PGD)

Describes a program for professional improvement in which head, senior, and junior staff of primary schools cooperate in the production of a school development plan. (RH)

Analyzed two programs in a public agency: Investors in Management (a British government initiative) and employee-led development. Found that both programs exposed tensions between individual growth and traditional values constraining growth. Concluded that effective organizational learning in the public sector must be collective and aware of…

Reviews development of competency-based standards for National Vocational Qualifications in purchasing as well as criticisms of the competency-based concept related to higher order skills, subjectivity, atomism, and imprecision. Argues that validity of qualifications lies in practitioner involvement in development; their value is in personnel…

British policies urge universities to develop entrepreneurs because of small businesses' role in the economy. To meet their developmental needs, appropriate subject matter and learning methods must be identified. A university consortium has developed a Master of Enterprise program benchmarked to business and management subjects identified by the…

Examines problems with archives and records management in Africa. Highlights include a lack of resources; poor management; inappropriate staff and inappropriate training; lack of effective tools and techniques; and suggested solutions, including support from top management, a change in archivists' attitudes, better staff selection and training,…

The Internet has made it impossible for higher education institutions to ignore technology in fulfilling their strategic mission and responding to the expectations of a diverse student body. In the Republic of Ireland, as elsewhere, the use of online technologies has become an increasingly important challenge in academic staff development, and on…