A study club for continuing education in dental implant techniques at the University of Washington is described and evaluated. Training included didactic and patient treatment components. In two sessions of the program, 17 participating restorative dentists and oral surgeons completed treatment on 12 patients. Practitioners found this…

A test of pharmacists' practice knowledge, for use in professional continuing education, was developed by having practitioners prepare 673 assessment items related to specific competencies. Item pool was refined by psychometric evaluation and content validation. Two parallel tests, each containing 120 items, were pilot-tested with first-year…

Reviews current uses of technology in the training of part-time faculty in community colleges, highlighting the use of print and visual media. Indicates that such programs orient faculty members in using technology within their classrooms. Provides recommendations for further integration of technology into programs, including teleconferencing and…

It is argued that law school faculty should be encouraged to spend sabbatical leaves working in a law office to renew understanding of the daily practice of law and of practical aspects of trials and case appeals. Learning occurring during this period could then be shared with both students and faculty colleagues. (MSE)

Describes a study investigating whether the 137 participants in Florida's return-to-industry program believed that the program had achieved its objectives. Six months to four years after participating, respondents supported the goals of the program and felt that the intended outcomes had been attained and that instructional programs had improved…

Describes a one-week French language immersion refresher course for middle and high school teachers that serves as a model for reclaiming language loss. The rationale for the program is given, a description of the strategies used is provided, evaluation of the experience is outlined, and suggestions are offered for adapting the program for other…

Five part-time family physicians attended a course in the patient-centered clinical method over three months. The small group format using role playing and videotaped examples emphasized understanding the patient's point of view and doctor-patient collaboration. (SK)

International examples of professional learning demonstrate the need for (1) recognition of political, economic, and social trends and issues; (2) attention to emerging knowledge and technology; (3) analysis of work settings as learning enterprises; and (4) appreciation of the abundance of providers/opportunities. (SK)

Discusses results of a survey of state library agencies that was conducted to determine current practices for the provision of consultants and workshops for the improvement of reference services in public libraries. The necessity of continuing education is considered, implications for library schools are examined, and future research is suggested.…

Provides excerpts from a presentation at a librarians' continuing education workshop on teen sexuality and AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), together with participants questions and comments. Goals of an HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) education program are presented, and activities for librarians are suggested. (EAM)

Health personnel caring for persons with AIDS/HIV (PWAs) identified their continuing education needs in affective and general knowledge domains. The resulting core curriculum emphasized experiential learning; understanding of personal responses; collaboration with PWAs as knowledge sources; focus on the person and the disease; and the best ways to…

Discusses principles of goal-based scenario (GBS) learning environments based on an examination of situated and unsituated knowledge. Topics addressed include flexibility; learning strategies; transfer of training; motivation; retention; and the use of GBS for professional development courses. (seven references) (LRW)

Reviews of the disciplines of law, medicine, engineering, and math/science teaching in Australia examined five issues concerning continuing professional education: (1) importance; (2) purpose; (3) relationship to preservice training; (4) mandatory/voluntary options; and (5) delivery. (SK)

A survey of students in 17 continuing education courses of short duration for librarians and information scientists in the United Kingdom showed that attendees welcome an intellectual challenge, prefer practical-based courses over lectures, and attend courses to gain work-related skills and knowledge. (three references) (EA)

A study found that dentists (n=164) receiving predoctoral and continuing instruction on the behavioral approach to caring for fearful patients recognized a higher proportion of fearful patients in their practices and were motivated to identify barriers to their care. They also found the costs of treatment to be greater. (MSE)