Following a summary of different ways in which the Pennsylvania Department of Education is using computer technology to improve education, describes (1) three electronic mail pilot projects; (2) a resource center and data base for school improvement; (3) a computer literacy course; and (4) management training programs. (DC)

As part of a farmers' functional literacy project, the Department of Adult and Continuing Education, Andhra University, Waltair (India), investigated a sampling of participant characteristics and their relation to progress in improving literacy skills and learning such aspects of agriculture as animal husbandry, poultry, dairying, and so on. (MF)

The impact of rural emigration on the farming communities of Nigeria is demonstrated by the rising age structure and increasing illiteracy among farm villages. It is suggested that the Universal Primary Education program should be expanded to include courses geared toward the life of rural people and their social and economic environment. (JMF)

Describes the formation of local organizations for adult and literacy education created all over Portugal after the end of the fascist regime in 1974, the coordination and certification plan of the Ministry of Education's Division of Continuing Education, and the ensuing legal status of the local "popular" educational associations. (MF)

Because few teachers in Qwaqwa, South Africa know how to use computers and many view computers with disdain, the government mandated that schools create computer/media centers in schools. Describes Qwaqwa; its educational system; and the Boitjhorisong Inservice Training Centre. Discusses program implementation, and the training of clerical staff,…

Good teaching highlights underlying connections between creation and dissemination of knowledge. Analysis of successful biology departments for underlying themes in improving undergraduate education led to the following conclusions: the best kind of teaching is one-on-one; change must be firmly grounded at the departmental or programmatic level;…

Traces the origin and development of technology education in the United States from its inception during the progressive era to the present. Although it has gone through various name-changes (manual training, vocational education, industrial arts) this field has always suffered from lack of funding and inadequate definition. (MJP)

This paper reviews the current status of technology use in education, identifies future needs, and offers guidelines for meeting those needs. It notes that teacher educators who are comfortable with technology will graduate technological leaders for schools that hire them. (SM)

Argues that free reading in a second language (such as English) done outside of school makes an important contribution to literacy development and academic achievement. Concludes that free reading is responsible for competence in writing style as well as other aspects of literacy. (four references) (CK)

The Dayton Literacy Project (Ohio) uses a University of Dayton service-learning course to bring together undergraduates and local high school-equivalency-program students. The course's intellectual rationale, organization, and work with welfare mothers are discussed. The project's success suggests ways in which the discipline of English can be…

Discusses problems with two common Web-browsing instructional activities and suggests ways that teachers can improve lessons to develop students' critical thinking skills. Focuses on search-and-print and Web page design activities. (AEF)

Describes the efforts of one elementary art class to move beyond the limits of formalism when examining and discussing art. Guided by the teacher, the class attempted a critical deconstruction of the work of Edgar Degas focusing on his depiction of working class women. Includes three reproductions of Degas works. (MJP)

On-site visits and staff interviews at four elementary schools in British Columbia (Canada) found that many computers were underutilized. Most teachers lacked the expertise to maximize the potential of computers, did not have time to fully master software programs, and could not explain how software programs supported their curriculum goals. (LP)

Presents a learning activity encouraging students to obtain a greater understanding of the relationship between symbols and the apparent dimensions of political phenomena. Students design symbols to represent objects, activities, issues, or meanings. Includes a list of student symbolic representations of law and justice issues. (MJP)

Describes the development of a Web-based virtual tour of the University of Otago (New Zealand) science library. Highlights include information literacy learning outcomes; information architecture, including information organization and navigation; integrating the tour into course work; and evaluation results. (LRW)