This book presents the cybernetic theory of learning and the evidence which supports it. Learning is more than the openloop forming of new stimulus-response associations--it is a process of reorganization of sensory feedback within a closed loop, or pattern, which increases the learner's level of control over his own behavior and the stimuli in…

This study was guided by two fundamental concerns: the problems of developing assessment procedures which are better suited to the more humanistic but less tangible goals of education in general, and the need for a clearer conceptualization of the objectives of open education programs. Two major components of this report are: 1) conceptual…

These invitational papers submitted by ETS staff members to the Select Education Subcommittee discuss various aspects of educational change and improvement, planning and evaluation. Papers include: "Open Education: Changing Schools for Children," (Edward A. Chittenden); "Planning for New Students to Higher Education in the 70's," (K. Patricia…

This Bulletin is about sweeping changes that were put into effect at Roosevelt Junior High School in Eugene. It outlines some of the philosophy and ideas which generated these changes, explains how the new program was initiated, traces the development of the program through its first 3-year experimental period, and presents some major points…

A study concerned with ways to increase occupational opportunities for women (but not intended as a study of sex discrimination) was undertaken to identify steps that can be taken to encourage young women to enter vocational areas that have been traditionally limited to males. Eleven vocational and comprehensive high schools were located that had…

This paper looks at South Korea as an example of a collectivist society having a rather large power distance dimension value. In a traditional Korean classroom the teacher is at the top of the classroom hierarchy, while the students are the passive participants. Gender and age play a role in the hierarchy between students themselves. Teaching…

Change is hard work, even when we are convinced it is worth the effort. Teachers are expected to change without clear explanations or evidence of how the changes will benefit them or their students. Meaningful change is most likely to occur when teachers' beliefs, feelings, and personality are taken into consideration. This book applies the latest…

Laurie Richlin has been running a workshop on course design for higher education for over fifteen years, modifying and improving it progressively from the feedback of participants, and from what they in turn have taught her. Her goals are to enable participants to appropriately select teaching strategies, to design and create the conditions and…

Learner perceptions of online learning were examined in a study of the views of learners enrolled in online vocational education and training (VET) courses across Australia. Data were collected from the following sources: an online questionnaire completed by 356 students and 63 educators; case studies of 6 VET organizations; and interviews and…

The Digital Economic Opportunity Committee (DEOC) was established to examine the information technology (IT) skills gap and make recommendations to eliminate this gap. DEOC believed the appropriate response to this skills gap is two-fold. The first was upgrading existing workers skills through training. The second was expanding the number of…

Following an abstract and introduction, this document reviews five research projects on the learning experiences of workers. The first two concern the environment required for successful learning in the workplace, and the last three address implementation of e-learning programs. (The findings from the first two studies revealed 24 conditions that…

This report is a summary of the evaluation of the Nevada School-to-Careers (STC) Year 4 (1999-2000) implementation and the extent to which implementation supported eight messages STC is intended to send. Results from three surveys are included: Quantitative Benchmark Survey, School Implementation Profile, and Student Exit Survey. All regional…

This publication provides a synopsis of the issues, as identified in recent research reports, relating to non-completion of New Apprenticeships and Traineeships in Australia. Some of the key findings of the research reports are the following: (1) during the mid-1990s, non-completion rates were approximately 45 percent for trainees and between…

Thirteen teachers and a teacher educator describe a year-long graduate program for experienced teachers in which they learned from each other how to become better teachers. The program, which was situated at Harvard's Graduate School of Education, included an integrative seminar, three required courses, and two elective courses. This book is…

A new phenomenon is emerging: companies are diverging from human capital theory by providing employees a general education in addition to specific training at the workplace. Blue collar workers often do not pursue higher education due to perceived lack of opportunities. If an employer provides educational opportunities, blue collar workers may…