Social studies education is irrelevant to most students and will not be improved by either of the two most frequently suggested solutions: teacher accountability and inservice programs. A better way of improving social studies programs is to reform teacher education. Problems currently facing teacher training include indifference on the part of…

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 book, which synthesizes research from psychology, sociology, and economics in Great Britain and elsewhere, maps the factors influencing motivation and introduces a long-term motivation strategy to help develop a lifelong learning society for the United Kingdom (UK). Eight chapters cover these topics: motivation to learn; different faces of…

Learners may be categorized as follows: (1) intrinsically motivated intellectuals; (2) extrinsically motivated mass learners, as represented by modern school youth; (3) extrinsically motivated learners in continuous requalification; and (4) intrinsically motivated "trendsetters." Although intrinsically motivated learners tend to be found…

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…

This paper identifies important knowledge gaps in adult education and training (AET) in Canada and starts to explore strategies to fill these gaps. Following an introduction in English and French, each of the next three sections is comprised of a review of the current state of knowledge on three topics (outcomes of adult learning, motivations and…

Learning in the first professional job was examined in a study of 40 nurses, 27 engineers, and 16 accountants who were in their first full year of full-time employment after college in hospitals and firms located in the United Kingdom. Data were collected through the following activities: (1) interviews with the respondents; (2) 1- to 2-day visits…

This document presents an annotated bibliography of 419 documents that provide a European perspective on vocational education and training (VET). The first part of the annotated bibliography lists documents devoted to the following key themes: (1) skill development (literacy; computer literacy; learning to learn); (2) human resources development…

Ways of expanding workplace learning in the United Kingdom by making better use of individual and organizational potential were examined. The analysis focused on the following issues: ways of fostering, improving, and increasing learning in the workplace; ways of enhancing access to and participation in workplace learning; ways of making workplace…

Parental perspectives on family learning were examined through focus group discussions with parents who had participated in family learning courses at a nursery school, primary school, secondary school, and family support center in London, England. Five focus group discussions with a total of 25 family learning course participants, 2 in-depth…

In early 1999, ABC Canada and Literacy British Columbia (BC) worked with 55 literacy organizations across Canada to study student recruitment and retention. Telephone interviews were conducted with 338 people who had contacted programs seeking literacy information or services (callers). Findings indicated callers constituted a broad cross-section…

This issue focuses on continuing vocational education (CVE) in Germany. Articles are: "Lifelong Learning in the Knowledge Society;""The Foundations of CVE in Germany"; "Who Takes Part in Continuing Education?"; "Hail Maria! A Helping Hand for Female Academics Seeking Promotion"; "Sponsors and Forms of…

The United Kingdom and other governments have demonstrated faith in information and communications technology (ICT) as a means of achieving a participative and inclusive society through various high-profile initiatives. It is also claimed that ICT or e-learning can bring about new patterns of power and participation for excluded learners. In this…