In response to Taiwan's policy changes concerning university freshman English courses for non-majors, which allowed students to use the courses to fulfill a language requirement, a study investigated course characteristics (credit hours, laboratory requirements, midterm and final examinations, and teacher qualifications) and whether these course…

A study investigated the following: the types of freshman English courses for non-majors offered at Taiwan universities in 1995 and the attitudes of faculty, students, and graduates concerning the language skills emphasized; placement of students in classes; use of standardized teaching materials; and need for summer courses. In spring 1996, 178…

Schools use a variety of ways to group students for instruction; most prevalent in middle level schools seems to be ability grouping. Arguments once considered persuasive for ability grouping are losing influence given evidence that the practice results in few achievement benefits and several negative effects. This Digest discusses attitudes…

This booklet discusses some consequences of internationalization for national training systems from the standpoint of the following two broad approaches often taken by international organizations: (1) the human capital ideology, which assumes human capital is an appropriate basis for education policy; and (2) the human rights and human development…

This report addresses small and medium-sized enterprises' (SMEs') role in the changing international division of labor and trade in information service activities. Chapter 2 describes the EMERGENCE project to map and measure eWork. Chapter 3 reviews literature that shows SMEs account for the overwhelming majority of companies and make a crucial…

Identifies and assesses various nontraditional approaches to business education in high school, university, and graduate school. "Block Scheduling: Considerations for Business Education" (Gloria Jean Smith, Douglas C. Smith) describes ways to maximize learning for high school students by restructuring class time. "Distance Learning: Challenges and…

Despite the conventional wisdom that comprehensive services are an essential element in the support of children and families, over the past several decades programs and services have continued to be disconnected, separately funded, and provided by these multiple agencies. The need for local intermediaries has emerged through the devolution of…

This collection of essays, which is arranged in four sections, concerns flexibility in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) systems of Europe. The first section, "Introduction," includes the following chapter: "Shaping Conditions for a Flexible VET" (Nieuwenhuis et al.). The second section, "Institutional and…

The educational, social, and familial influences that lead women to choose information technology (IT) careers were examined in an online survey. Of the 2,500 women who were employed in IT careers in 38 countries and who belonged to the IT professional organization, Systers, 275 responded to the online survey (11% response rate). The respondents…

This document explores whether state certification of adult educators can contribute to a more professional work force. The document begins by listing perceived advantages and disadvantages of certification and defining certification. The following reasons for supporting certification are presented: assuring professional competence; promoting…

This report, which is based primarily on figures released by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), reviews the indicators available for international comparisons of vocational education and training (VET) to clarify the following issues: the kinds of comparability problems that exit, their extent and severity, their…

This booklet, which is addressed to school administrators, examines the principles of service learning as a way of teaching rather than just another program and explains how administrators can customize service learning to the unique characteristics of their own schools and communities. The booklet begins by defining service learning as a delivery…

This volume is the first in a new series of comparative studies carried out by EURYDICE (Education Information Network in the European Community) and is intended to provide in-depth analyses of specific issues of major interest for political decisionmakers and educational cooperation at the European level. The volume is organized into three…

Technological literacy includes the following elements: (1) the ability to use technology; (2) knowledge about the details of individual technologies and the processes of technology development; (3) a holistic understanding of the historical and cultural context of technology and adaptability based on initiative and resourceful thinking; and (4) a…

The literature on higher education policy and governance has increased since the late 1980s, possibly in response to campuses' questioning of their traditional missions and processes, and focuses on five main areas: financial issues; assessment; accreditation and standards, especially for new forms of teaching and learning; nondiscrimination…