New Zealand's Hutt Valley Outpost experimental teacher training model was established in 1969 on a local high school campus following problems recruiting and training secondary teachers. By offering local training, researchers found students sought local positions. Similar programs began in other districts. The model has endured and evolved. (SM)

Use of the Cognitive Skills Inventory (CSI) in cross-cultural studies was investigated by comparing responses of 348 English-speaking, 142 bilingual Puerto Rican, and 109 monolingual Spanish college students. Analyses illustrate a stable and reliable factor structure across cultures for the CSI and its Spanish translation. (SLD)

Surveyed 1,148 Chinese junior, prevocational, secondary school students to investigate self-concepts and delinquent behaviors when compared to grammar secondary school counterparts. Examined data from an earlier study of junior grammar school students. Finds earlier group had higher self-esteem whereas the prevocational students were more likely…

Reviews economics teaching methods in England in light of curriculum reform there. Explains economics' cross-curricular status in England's national curriculum. Stresses students' experiential learning in simulations, interview projects, and a minienterprise approach in which students produce and market goods. Describes one elementary school's…

Describes the range of products and services offered by VTLS, a company that offers comprehensive, integrated library automation software and customer support. VTLS's growth and development in the United States and abroad is described, and nine sidebar articles detail system features and applications in public, academic, and virtual libraries. (20…

Reports research examining the effects of writing activities on mathematics achievement. Results indicate that prewriting activities, such as modeling or prompts, are essential and that regular, systematic writing over an extended period can improve students' performance in, and attitude toward, mathematics. (15 references) (MDH)

Analyzed survey responses of 226 mathematics teachers from 57 Australian high schools concerning the use of writing in mathematics classrooms. Findings suggested that writing is rarely used as a strategy for teaching mathematics and when it is used, its effectiveness is limited. Includes the Writing in Mathematics questionnaire. (44 references)…

Reviews the situation of education in Kosova, a part of old Yugoslavia with an Albanian population, where a low-intensity ethnic cleansing campaign against children is being conducted by Serbian authorities. In response to Serbian destruction of the public school system, semiclandestine Albanian language schools have been created. (SLD)

Discussion of characteristics of users of computer-mediated communication systems and scientific networks focuses on a study of the scientific community in Chile. Topics addressed include users and nonusers; productivity; educational level; academic specialty; age; gender; international connectivity; public policy issues; and future research…

One college administrator's experience in a professional development program with Polish university administrators is described. Aspects of Polish higher education (finance, professional development for administrator, the student-faculty relationship, relationship of the university with alumni and the community) were found to provide perspective…

A study investigated perceptions of National University of Singapore faculty (n=18) and students (n=151) in psychology, building, and estate management of the importance of specific educational objectives and the effectiveness of teaching methods in meeting them. Results indicate discrepancies between faculty and student attitudes and some…

Describes a study conducted in elementary and secondary schools in Northern Ireland that assessed the impact of the use of laptop computers on academic achievement in mathematics, English, and science. Treatments for the experimental and control groups are described, and performance measures are explained. (seven references) (LRW)

This project was designed to provide a framework for user evaluation of software packages and hypertext environments in terms of the extent to which they provide flexibility for learners to follow their preferred learning styles. Evaluation was carried out in relation to hypertext packages, learning styles and outcomes, and system design. (four…

Describes the development of the Online Contents Service at Tilburg University (Netherlands) that provides users with desktop microcomputer access to the contents of journals held at the university. The rationale, procedures, retrieval software, subject search capability, and future developments are discussed. (five references) (EA)

Reprint of a presentation to the National Council of Geography Teachers in 1952 stating that a fundamental error in popular thought about geography is that the land masses of the continents are the basic divisions of the world. Analyzes the U.S. world position and claims the United States has a responsibility for the world's future. (NL)