The long-term promise of cooperative learning may quickly dissolve unless there is careful examination of issues related to successful practices. The article defines a context for cooperative learning and links its current popularity to middle school theory and philosophy, young adolescent characteristics, research claims, and simple application.…

Although the 1980's fitness craze is wearing off and adults are again becoming "couch potatoes," this trend does not justify expansion of high school compulsory physical education requirements. To encourage commitment to lifetime physical fitness, the Phoenix (Arizona) Union High School District offers students private showers, relaxed…

Despite White House accolades and some real strides, St. Paul, Minnesota's experimental Saturn School is at a major juncture. Students of all abilities work together amid sophisticated supplies and equipment without required textbooks, grade levels, or lengthy summer vacations. However, lower standardized test scores and faculty dissatisfaction…

Engineers need flexible delivery of up-to-date, relevant continuing education. At Deakin University (Australia), engineering distance-education strategies include the use of e-mail, videoconferencing, teletutorials, Internet-delivered courseware, and computer-assisted instruction. (SK)

Describes how changes in technical-communication education between 1950 and 1998 have led to disciplinary maturity: the development of academic programs and a body of innovative research. Discusses how technical communication, as a thriving multidiscipline with many direct research and pedagogical connections to the work place, can uniquely…

Describes the major curriculum changes that have been implemented through Undergraduate Medical Education for the 21st Century (UME-21), a 3-year national demonstration project to encourage innovation in medical education. Discusses challenges that occurred in carrying out those changes, and outlines the strategies for evaluating the project. (EV)

Discusses knowledge engineering, computer software, and possible applications in the field of education. Highlights include the distinctions between data, information, and knowledge; knowledge engineering as a subfield of artificial intelligence; knowledge acquisition; data mining; ontology development for subject terms; cognitive apprentices; and…

Proposes replacing the current approach to medical residents' education, which specifies a fixed time of training, with competency-based training. Reviews the basis of traditional residency training and its problems (both the fixed time and uncertainty of evaluation methods). Discusses the competency-based approach, probability that some residents…

The new nursing practitioner is emancipated, critically reflective, creative, and autonomous. Education to prepare these practitioners should include technical, practical, and emancipatory domains of knowledge and emancipatory teaching practices that are learner centered. (SK)

Presents a theory of educational change grounded in 23 years of qualitative data from one elementary school, interpreting patterns of change using the punctuated equilibrium theory of organizational change, in which short periods of revolutionary change (usually following failed innovation) are followed by long periods of equilibrium or…

A study included a survey of 750 agriculture teachers (406 responses), 28 interviews, and focus groups with 19. The survey identified cost of equipment and facilities as barriers to infusion of aquaculture in agricultural education. However, interview data did not corroborate this finding, indicating that time to manage effectively was most…

Describes the Mississippi family and consumer sciences curriculum that is aligned with the national standards and linked to technology-based classrooms. Discusses preliminary evaluation in 36 schools, indicating some anecdotal evidence of positive impacts. (SK)

Why is it so hard for colleges and universities to change? Why do even innovative institutions that invest considerable time and effort in attempts to improve performance often fall back into long-established patterns? Why is the whole of educational innovation often less than the sum of the parts? Consider three colleges and universities.…

Rapidly changing demographics have transformed the suburban counties of northern New Jersey into multicultural and multiethnic communities. The tragic events of 9/11 have brought out the necessity for understanding the many dimensions of the changes. Various institutions see the value of joining together to take advantage of the opportunities to…

Purpose--To illuminate the importance of the communal deliberative process, as a form of collective thinking, in overcoming the growing complexities of schoolwork in uncertain and turbulent environments. Design/methodology/approach-- Introduces the notion of deliberation as evolved from Dewey's moral theory, the essential phases and elements of…