Conducted exploratory pilot studies of the uses of technology to enable learning in a formal educational setting in a higher education institution and within a corporation. Findings show there is insufficient followup on e-learning policies and a general lack of strategic direction and leadership in this area. (SLD)

Selected nursing courses offered in both traditional (36 students) and online (20 students) formats were evaluated using final grades and a student satisfaction questionnaire. No significant differences in learning experiences were found. Following this successful pilot, the whole curriculum was migrated to online. (SK)

Before schools can tackle the student dropout problem, they need to distinguish school leavers from completers. A year-long pilot project in 31 states will record all students who drop out and their reasons for leaving, using a statistical reporting model developed by the Council of Chief State School Officers. Recommendations and participant…

Describes DISCLOSURE, a personality assessment game that was developed as an alternative to traditional personality testing methods in career planning groups. Pilot trials of the game with 150 college students are described, and samples of student reactions to the experience are included. (16 references) (LRW)

Faculty of the North Dakota State University/Tri-College University Educational Administration Program felt the need to assess its current plan for teaching via a statewide interactive video network. The system's technical and structural barriers are discussed and evaluated, along with field-tested innovations and network extensions.…

Describes the NorthWest Service Academy (NWSA), part of the AmeriCorps national service initiative, that focuses on community work programs in education, the environment, health and human needs, and public safety in parts of Oregon and Washington. NWSA participants receive a weekly living allowance and basic health insurance, as well as a $4,725…

Presents an effective way to start a technological revolution in schools by beginning with a single exciting project that incorporates new technologies and then letting interest in the project prompt others to action. (JRH)

Investigates the applicability of two modified family systems constructs to parent-teacher relationships. Results suggested two related factors, joining and communication, as important elements of parent-teacher relationships. Data gathered in the second stage revealed that the joining factor included affiliation and support, dependability and…

Describes an upstate New York high school's success at restructuring its schedule according to a modified Copernican Plan. The Dover Renew 2000 block schedule divides the school year into trimesters; each term has two 120-minute periods and a shorter interest block. This approach "dejuvenilizes" the high school and allows more focused,…

Describes the "Private Eye Project" developed by Seattle artist and writer Kerry Ruef and piloted by the Seattle Public Schools. Program materials include a loupe (a jeweler's magnifying glass) and a kit of specimens. Transformed by the loupe, the most ordinary objects present new, analogous worlds leading to poetic and artistic…

Reviews the government's progress in introducing a formal, systematic, and compulsory system of teacher appraisal across England and Wales, using comparisons with civil service, business, and commerce appraisal techniques. Describes national government-initiated pilot appraisal schemes, concluding with a discussion of implications for developing a…

In the Children's School, a pilot project in New York City's south Bronx neighborhood, a unique program for kindergarten to third grade students features whole-language approach. This philosophy puts children first and provides an environment that gives children varied choices for learning. (MLF)

The mission of the Rum River (Minnesota) Special Education Cooperative is to help local school district staff integrate students with challenges in regular education settings. Currently, almost all children attend a home school in their local communities. The expanded opportunities in regular classrooms have raised disabled students' expectations…

Describes the Dewitt Wallace-Reader's Digest Connecting Libraries and Schools Project (CLASP) of the New York Public Library, a cooperative pilot project to encourage reading among children and youth. Sample projects described include summer reading lists, open school night outreach, and outreach to parents. The importance of materials support is…

Before buying an integrated learning system, DeKalb (Georgia) County Schools developed a one-year pilot program to evaluate available products and select the best system. Performance assessment was based on three factors: student achievement, teachers' classroom management experiences, and district personnel's experiences in implementing and…