Introduces other articles in this issue devoted to distributed learning at metropolitan universities. Discusses issues that institutions should address if considering distributed learning: institutional goals and strategic plans, faculty development needs and capabilities, student support services, technical and personnel infrastructure, policies,…

Asserting that providing infrastructure to support online classes is analogous to building a new physical campus adjacent to the pre-existing one, describes the support requirements of online faculty, information technology networks, students, and administrators. Says that if these infrastructure considerations are not addressed near the beginning…

Examines the Korean National Open University's (KNOU) four recent technology initiatives for distance education, including an online database and multimedia digital library, an integrated Web-based student support system, a videoconferencing network, and Web-based course. Suggests that it is instructional design, not technology, which is at the…

This paper introduces this journal issue on the Network for Innovative Colleges of Education, which was originally created to allow five deans to meet periodically to support one another but which quickly grew to support other key faculty. The colleagues all contributed to restructuring each of the five colleges. (SM)

Uses interviews and observations to explore principals' practices in building new cognitive perception and meaning in 20 Israeli schools. Changes of perception are intrinsically complex. Principals' ability to change perspective results from expertise in handling the interaction between a transformative, open-ended process and a time-cognitive…

Describes the merging of a school for students with special needs with a nearby Catholic high school. States that the Best Buddies program pairs a high school student with a special needs student in a mentoring type of relationship. Reports that this school-within-a-school program has been so successful that the archdiocese is expanding the…

Recent findings in brain research suggest the implementation of contemporary instructional practices is in order for base practices. Incorporating best practice research is critical for students to be competitive in a global market. This article provides a brief overview of educational philosophy, recent findings on brain research and language…

Describes the use of the sports literature-based School PLUS (Personal Learning Using Sports) program to teach interpersonal skills, promote reading and language development, and build self-esteem through sports. Discusses intended audience, curriculum components, instructional approach, and development of the School PLUS team. (SAS)

Performances on Steps 1 and 2 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) were compared for classes that had completed a new problem-based learning curriculum and for previous, traditionally instructed classes at the University of Missouri Columbia School of Medicine. Students in the problem-based learning curriculum outperformed…

Argues for innovation in teaching physics. Contends that the major premise of work in physics education is that educational innovations should be based on research into student learning, and that the effectiveness of an innovation should be evaluated by openly assessing what students have actually learned--a notion that is starling to those in…

Argues that fieldwork develops student understanding of various concerns in social and cultural geography. Recommends using a new approach that focuses on the role of fieldwork in the research process and illustrates this approach by describing an account of a residential field class to Los Angeles (California) and Las Vegas (Nevada). (CMK)

Reviews the series of books, "The Geography Discipline Network Guides on Teaching, Learning, and Assessment," produced by the Geography Discipline Network. Reveals two strengths of the series: (1) it provides practical guidelines on improving traditional teaching strategies; and (2) it promotes active learning. Considers the potential…

Presents two interviews describing the creation of the Colegio Menor in Quito, Ecuador, a bilingual renaissance school that teaches Ecuadorian children both Spanish and English. The first interview describes an American university professor's experiences in helping design and develop the school. The second interview is with an Ecuadorian preschool…

Describes the development of entrepreneurship programs for youth in rural Nebraska and South Dakota. Discusses the cooperative efforts of four institutions and organizations to promote entrepreneurship education, school-based activities tied to entrepreneurship and community development, and the importance of peer networks and community awareness…

This article discusses increasing student diversity and its challenges to special education systems as more students need assistance to progress in the curriculum. It argues for whole school reorganization that reflects cultural understanding, permits flexibility in the use of resources, and is guided by clear accountability for student…