The opinions of distance educators and practitioners around the world were surveyed regarding availability of research information, areas in which research efforts should be concentrated, and priority to be given to these research areas. The sample was randomly selected from registered members of the International Council for Distance Education.…

Cognitively oriented research on writing has altered the manner in which writing is understood and taught. In the 1970s, writing teachers were challenged to improve students' skills. Finding traditional, product-oriented methods inadequate, they were left to discover how they might guide students to develop their skills. L. Flower and J. R. Hayes'…

This book presents an adult educator's perspective on the social sciences and the goal and vision of adult education. Adult education is defined as a social science and as a field of practice based on a unique body of theory and knowledge. The discovery of meaning through relevant research is discussed. Various barriers that prevent people from…

Since 1989, the French government has been developing a program to encourage forecasting studies on skills and training needs within the framework of a dialogue between the social partners. A review of the program showed that the forecasting studies have been conducted either by public research institutions or by private consulting firms. Some…

This symposium report is designed to provide guidance about major conceptual and methodological issues in research relating to families whose children have emotional, behavioral, or mental disorders. Participants in the symposium identified historical themes, dominant constructs, methodological issues, and recent developments related to family…

A literature review synthesized the qualitative research from science education that described students' cognitive processes in conceptual change and the related effects of context. Studies were located by manual and on-line searches of more than 15 data bases to retrieve the published, unpublished, and fugitive research. The actual case studies…

Instructional Technology is a field of innovation. As instructional technologists realize that their innovations are not always readily adopted, theories of diffusion and adoption have been incorporated into instructional development models. This paper describes five unexplored areas of research related to the adoption and diffusion of…

The aim of this review is to identify and examine the rhetorical features, conventions, and sociocultural contexts that students engage when they enter an academic discourse community. The review seeks to identify and analyze the intertextual relationships between teacher/authority recommendations and the development of student autonomy and voice…

This collection of 16 papers grew out of a seminar held in 1989 on Research in Distance Education (RIDE). The participants in the seminar and those whose papers are included here were searching for new research methodologies, broadening their research agendas, and putting the practice of distance education under scrutiny. The following papers are…

This brief report cites the grade of "poor" given to the United States educational system on the fourth of the six National Education Goals proposed by the President and the Governors in 1990. The fourth goal states that "By the Year 2000, U.S. students will be first in the world in science and mathematics achievement." The…

The purpose of the international meeting of experts described in this document was to discuss policies, strategies, and measures designed to encourage the development and extension of integrated services for early childhood care and education (ECCE). Participants first reviewed the successes, failures, and lessons learned in providing integrated…

The methods and findings of studies of the effects and value of preschool education and compensatory education programs, such as Head Start, are reviewed. After introductory comments on ideological controversies and on terminology, section 1 focuses on evaluative studies of the immediate and long-term effects of preschool education and early…

This paper describes research needs in light of changes taking place in school-based practice in both general and special education. The tenets of educational reform and societal concerns fueling demands for reform are identified. The context in which changes in educational practices are occurring is described, focusing on evolving relationships…

This research review examines international studies on early childhood education and care, with particular reference to outcomes or benefits related to the child's age, the length of time in early childhood education and care, program type, and scope and type of parental involvement. Research literature from North America, Scandinavia, Britain,…

U.S. society is diverse, consisting of individuals who may differ in culture, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, religion, language, gender, exceptionality, and age. Optimum learning for all students can occur only in an environment that supports and encourages such diversity. Multicultural education addresses the challenges of recognizing diversity…