Presents a simulated dialog that explores the issues surrounding the terms and concepts of "training needs assessment" and contrasts those with "needs assessment." Needs, needs analysis, and training requirements analysis are defined, and it is concluded that needs assessment is a better term than training needs assessment.…

Examines the information literacy debate, focusing on the term and its definition. Discusses the term's lack of clarity and confusion with other terms (library skills, library use, and bibliographic instruction), and considers the pros and cons of using an old term, a new term, or information literacy. Recommends using information literacy. (PEN)

Draws a distinction between the concepts of personal growth and personal development through a linguistic analysis. Argues that the difference is vital in counselor training, where the emphasis should necessarily be on those aspects of personal development that are relevant to specific training objectives and client needs, rather than on the more…

Phonological theories have raised the notion of a universally preferred syllable type which is defined in terms of its sonority structure (e.g., Clements, 1990). Empirical evidence for this notion has been provided by distributional analyses of natural languages and of language acquisition data, and by aphasic speech error analyses. The present…

This research report investigates how government departments and agencies communicate with post-16 education and training organisations, and how those working in it perceive the communications. Specifically, this report details the findings from an online survey distributed to a cross-section of people working in post-16 education and training.…

Our research project was guided by the assumption that students who learn to understand phenomena in everyday terms prior to being taught scientific language will develop improved understanding of new concepts. We used web-based software to teach students using a "content-first" approach that allowed students to transition from…

Education has a language of its own. Unfortunately, the general public and even some educators have different understandings of what the terms mean. This book examines more than 200 terms used in K-12 education in the United States. The purpose of this book is to enlighten parents, school board members, business leaders, and other concerned…

This dictionary attempts to define routinely used specialized language in the various areas of biotechnology, and remain suitable for use by scientists involved in unrelated disciplines. Viewing biotechnology as the practical application of biological systems to the manufacturing and service industries, and to the management of the environment,…

More educators could effectively communicate with network designers and installers if they understood the technical vocabulary related to computer networks. Terms associated with local area and wide area networks--building materials, connection strategies, network traffic control, and protocols--are defined. Advice is given for planning school…

Discusses CD-ROM development, including common production terms (data acquisition, rights acquisition, data conversion, indexing, authoring, premastering, image building, replication); describes the roles of project team members (script writers, artists, designers, programmers, managers, distributors); and explains the differences between CD-ROM…

Notes that incidents abound of student journalists using jargon. Suggests that the best "rule" about avoiding jargon is: "Impress your audience by plainly and clearly explaining difficult material." Concludes that jargon harms and clouds the clarity of student journalism and the confidence in the student press. (RS)

Interviews with a small sample of adult students revealed that even highly literate and articulate learners had difficulty understanding the assessment language used in National Vocational Qualifications. This finding highlights the alienation learners can feel when adult education discourse uses jargon instead of learner-relevant language. (SK)

Focuses on the paradigm talk on display in two "Handbook" chapters on next-generation methods for studying educational administration and new research paradigms for improving schooling. Discusses how talk about paradigms shapes our thinking and affects what we say about research methods on one hand and substantive issues on the other.…

Responds to a 1993 article in this journal. Places that article's general conclusion (that profitable corporations have more readable narrative texts than unprofitable ones) within the broader context of the readability research and corporate reporting literature. (SR)

Outcome-based education (OBE) advocates use mechanistic terminology suggestive of the business world, not organic words embodying reflection, serendipity, and discovery. With OBE, outside experts prescribe what is best for students and teachers, who remain essentially voiceless. Teaching is defined in technical dimensions. Such linear,…