An analytic review of interactive videodisc instruction applied in defense training, industrial training, and higher education found that academic achievement was improved in all settings when interactive video was used. Interactive video was more effective when more interactive features were used, was less costly than other instructional methods,…

Bases a music participation theory on findings in music education, ethnomusicology, and sociology of leisure. Posits six types of music participants: professionals, apprentices, amateurs, hobbyists, recreationists, and dabblers. Distinguishes each type by theoretical variations in cost-benefit relationships as perceived by participants. Discusses…

It is argued that direct lending by the federal government to the student, characterized by direct financing, delivery, and communication, is a form of financial aid more cost effective than current programs such as the federal Guaranteed Student Loans. Direct loans can be better administered by the federal government, and protection against fraud…

A number of colleges and universities with widely varying sizes and missions have used direct mail techniques to improve fund raising. Methods include use of fund-raising themes, checklists of reasons for donating, gift clubs, and challenge grants. Attention to direct communication, image, and repetition of the message are success factors. (MSE)

School districts experiencing student transportation problems along with limited staff ability and time, and extremely sensitive issues, can benefit from a transportation consultant. A pupil transportation consultant can assist districts in management studies, staff development, and operations. (MLF)

Reviews the literature on enhancement of catalog records using table of contents information and reports on a study at San Diego State University that examined the proportion of catalog records in the collection that could be enhanced, the extent of enhancements, and the nature of the information that could be added to notes. (24 references) (EA)

The Finnish system for persons injured at work or contracting industrial diseases is compared before and after legislative changes made in 1982, focusing on rehabilitation client selection, rehabilitation method effectiveness, and long-term vocational and economic outcomes. Data concerning longer term outcomes demonstrate that rehabilitation is…

Describes the Advanced Instructional Design Advisor, an Air Force project which involves the development and testing of automated instructional design guidance for use by Air Force technical training specialists in the development of computer-based training software. System architecture is explained, and a cognitive continuum approach to the…

Most research on American and British preschool programs demonstrates that early learning experiences have an immediate positive impact on children's cognitive and social development. Because of this, there is a strong case for investment in high quality early learning on economic as well as social grounds. (MDM)

Extra-year programs for children in kindergarten and first grade are not cost effective and have a tendency to keep children out of school. What does work is a developmentally appropriate curriculum for the primary grades that emphasizes integrated learning across the curriculum, small group instruction, and mixed-age grouping. (MLF)

School food-service programs, endangered by rising costs, would benefit by taking the following steps: (1) improve food quality and presentation; (2) renovate the appearance of cafeterias; (3) enlist cafeteria personnel in reforms and include profit sharing; (4) update management procedures; and (5) cut bureaucracy. (MLF)

In response to budgetary constraints, the University of Houston Law Center's faculty services department provides trained research assistants to faculty not needing a full-time assistant. The research assistants are supervised by a lawyer-librarian. The program has been successful, well received, and cost effective. (MSE)

The choice debate has seriously neglected an important variable: the welfare costs (between 50 to 80 cents per marginal dollar raised) associated with tax collection necessary to finance public schools. Once corrected for the omitted variable, the balance is swung unambiguously in favor of private schools, even when revenue-financed vouchers are…

Provides a checklist for administrators to use while looking for signs of wasted energy and examining lighting, building construction, heating and ventilation systems, and plumbing and refrigeration. After completing the checklist for a single building or every school in the district, administrators should prioritize physical changes needed for…

Describes the evolution of courseware development and compares existing development methods, including traditional programing languages, authoring languages, and authoring systems. The use of a product which includes a customized courseware generator or authoring system is proposed, and an example is described that used HyperCard to teach the…