Perhaps the most enduring belief about vocational education (VE) is that it is only for the noncollege bound, potential dropouts, or other special needs students. In reality, 80% of high school students take at least one occupationally specific vocational course, and one in eight academic students actually takes more vocational courses than…

This study investigated ways in which Australian vocational education and training (VET) students in the 1990s combined study and work to prepare for future long-term career paths. The study was conducted throughout 1998 in three technical and further education (TAFE) institutes in three states, using the following methods: a survey of about 1,400…

This information sheet provides a summary of general observations regarding adult learners. Adults from different walks of life may seek out learning at different times in their lives, for different reasons, and for vastly different purposes. Adult learning groups may include students of different ages, cultures, and educational and socioeconomic…

A phenomenological hermeneutic approach was used to explore the process of being and becoming a distance learner and ways the distance learning environment is inhabited or known. The study's author analyzed her own distance learning experiences and those of three other individuals (two females and one male) with an interest in education and…

Idaho has made substantial progress carrying out its State School Improvement Plan under the direction of the Idaho State Board of Education and the Idaho State Department of Education, and with funding under the Goals 2000: Educate America Act. Three major areas of accomplishment provide the basis for continuing improvement activities. The first…

This is a report on indicators of success in achieving community college goals at El Centro College (Texas). The report provides statistics from 1997-2000 and focuses on the progress of nine goals: (1) institutionalizing service beyond expectation--according to student satisfaction surveys, campus changes that have occurred between 1996 and 1999…

This report includes comments and recommendations from a group of consultant-evaluators at the North Central Accreditation Commission (NCA), assessing different student learning evaluation techniques utilized by 440 higher education institutions, including 162 two-year colleges. Recommendations include linking the assessment of student learning…

Eighteen States and the District of Columbia were represented at the second conference of collegiate instructors in foreign service training subjects, which was held at the New Willard Hotel, Washington, D.C., December 26, 1923, under the direction of the former advisory council and committee of fifteen on educational preparation for foreign…

Discusses the strong educational role of mass media in the Soviet Union. Articles cover "Controlling Individual Development and Behavior,""The Educational Potential of the Mass Media,""Some Problems of Ideological Work and the Tasks of Psychology," plus discussion of books, television, the press, films, and the…

A case study of Birmingham-Southern College is presented. Three concerns in an effort to renew the liberal arts college included the need to: (1) reanalyze the mission of the college in a changing environment; (2) create partnerships with many publics; and (3) encourage flexibility in management styles. (MLW)

Examines the learning benefits of a learner-as-designer environment simulating a real-world multimedia production house and its impact on at-risk high school students. Students showed a significant growth in their value of intrinsic goals and achieved several critical design skills. The experience provided many students, who could not otherwise…

Discusses the contentious relationship between educators within the former East Germany and their West German cohorts following reunification. The problems have stemmed from conflicting ideologies and traditions (Marxist versus Christian Democrat and Social Democrat) as well as differences concerning school organization and educational objectives.…

Contends that college students consider job training to be the primary purpose of education. College educators must be proactive in facilitating student understanding of the purpose of higher education, particularly in the liberal arts core curriculum, which provides the opportunity for students to explore knowledge outside their major and to…

Discusses the importance to science departments of processes used to track student performance and how assessment data are used. Adding value has two principal aspects. The first is quantitative, where gains in knowledge, skills, and understanding demonstrated by students are measured. The second is a cross-curricular aspect, evaluating the…

Examines the approaches taken, the topics discussed, and the practical results of the 1944 conference, "Germany after the War." Organized and led by psychiatrist Richard Brickner, the conference focused on reeducation, institutional change, and psychological rehabilitation. The conference recommendations became highly relevant in the…