Research on social capital and functional communities provides much needed information on the relationship between rural schools and their communities, and its impact on community viability. Schools are critical to the social and economic viability of rural communities; research suggests that social capital in rural areas has decreased…

As part of the Victorian Certificate of General Education for Adults (CGEA) in Australia, a project involves students in writing, editing, and distributing The World Times, a student newspaper. Due to a lack of funds, the Internet has become an alternative means of publication, and the@LBE-ELECTRONIC (@LBE-E) World Wide Web site has become a new…

This document is intended to help education and training institutions deliver the Machine Tool Advanced Skills Technology (MAST) curriculum to a variety of individuals and organizations. MAST consists of industry-specific skill standards and model curricula for 15 occupational specialty areas within the U.S. machine tool and metals-related…

Many parents on a southwestern Manitoba (Canada) Indian reservation are troubled by the small number of high school students who graduate. Much of the failure can be attributed to the generally poor writing skills of aboriginal students. To increase the students' writing ability, a computer-assisted instruction program emphasizing writing and…

This paper discusses a vision of the transformation of the library from a repository of printed material to a digital library serving as a complete information center where distant learners can obtain support for their educational aspirations. Future information centers will be distant learner-centered. Factors discussed include: (1) distance…

This document consists of the first three issues of a new newsletter concerning people who are deaf-blind. Issues present substantive articles, news on technical assistance in various areas, book reviews, and conference information. The following articles are included: (1) "Rationale for Editorial Policy on Terminology" (John W. Reiman),…

This study explores the instructional impact of using computer multimedia to integrate metaphorical verbal information into graphical representations of biotechnology concepts. The combination of text and graphics into a single metaphor makes concepts dual-coded, and therefore more comprehensible and memorable for the student. Visual stimuli help…

This document summarizes and presents materials produced during a qualitative international study of the role of transformative learning in achieving sustainable societies and global responsibility that included the following activities: case studies of experiences with transformative learning in seven countries; international survey and workshop;…

The 16 chapters of this book explore, from a British perspective, a range of strategies, both institutional and individual, developed to foster an environment conducive to learning for university students. Section 1 concentrates on systems and structures to assist student learning while Section 2 offers applications at both the undergraduate and…

Students who are anxious about mathematics elect to take fewer mathematics courses in high school and college. This math avoidance is also typical for many first-year elementary school teachers who show high levels of mathematics anxiety. These teachers schedule less time for mathematics instruction than their less anxious colleagues. This paper…

This volume presents three analytical discussions of issues in the application of technology at the postsecondary level, both in the provision of distance education and its use in support of teaching, learning, research, administration, management, and libraries in institutions of higher education institutions. Part 1, "Responding to the Triple…

As part of the Jacksonville Urban Education Partnership (JUEP) at the University of North Florida, a CD-ROM disc designed to assist preservice teachers in the preparation of their portfolios was developed and tested. With the help of the disc, 45 preservice teachers developed portfolios as a tool for reflection and for evaluation of skill and…

This brief report describes the Rosetta Stone Language Library, a set of multimedia second language instructional materials. These materials emphasize comprehension of spoken language as the first step to acquiring fluency, sometimes referred to as the "comprehension approach" or "natural approach." The materials are designed…

Position statements of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) are provided in detail. Topic areas for which position statements are provided include: Calculators and the Education of Youth, Early Childhood Mathematics Education, Evaluation of Teacher Performance, Guiding Students' Attitudes and Decisions Regarding Their Mathematics…

Project FIRST (Field-Based Integrated Regular and Special Teacher Training) is an Oklahoma program that funds teacher training on the use of technology and media to adapt instruction for disabled students in the regular classroom. The program provided inservice training to regular teachers in rural Oklahoma school districts and preservice training…