The Teacher Year Alternative was a nine-month teacher preparation program conducted by the University of Colorado stressing the processes of self-knowledge and self-use, both developed through: (1) personal-psychological growth experiences, (2) interpersonal skills and sensitivity, (3) socio-cultural awareness, (4) classroom techniques, (5) role…

Describes a videotape containing interviews with students, faculty, and external evaluators shown at the Conference on Basic Writers workshop; participants then experienced assessment techniques used to evaluate the project's success. Gives an account of the project, a detailed description of the means of assessing it, and suggestions for how and…

Compares request strategies in Dutch and English and attributes the differences to a different perception of the need for repair. The article concludes that the Dutch use lexical downgraders where the French use longer constructions, that is, supportive acts. Further research is recommended to verify the findings. (16 references) (Author/CK)

Discussion of information-seeking behavior focuses on a study of the imposed query, as opposed to self-generated queries, in an elementary school library media center in order to quantify its presence, to record characteristics of the users that carry them, and to identify the persons imposing them. The coding sheet is appended. Contains one table…

Suggests schools should not wait for negative incidents or for specific student inquiries about racism before introducing multicultural concepts. An Albuquerque school piloted "Different and the Same," a supplementary video-based curriculum to help young children identify and prevent prejudice. Developed by the company producing…

Conducted exploratory pilot studies of the uses of technology to enable learning in a formal educational setting in a higher education institution and within a corporation. Findings show there is insufficient followup on e-learning policies and a general lack of strategic direction and leadership in this area. (SLD)

Selected nursing courses offered in both traditional (36 students) and online (20 students) formats were evaluated using final grades and a student satisfaction questionnaire. No significant differences in learning experiences were found. Following this successful pilot, the whole curriculum was migrated to online. (SK)

Before schools can tackle the student dropout problem, they need to distinguish school leavers from completers. A year-long pilot project in 31 states will record all students who drop out and their reasons for leaving, using a statistical reporting model developed by the Council of Chief State School Officers. Recommendations and participant…

Describes DISCLOSURE, a personality assessment game that was developed as an alternative to traditional personality testing methods in career planning groups. Pilot trials of the game with 150 college students are described, and samples of student reactions to the experience are included. (16 references) (LRW)

Faculty of the North Dakota State University/Tri-College University Educational Administration Program felt the need to assess its current plan for teaching via a statewide interactive video network. The system's technical and structural barriers are discussed and evaluated, along with field-tested innovations and network extensions.…

Describes the NorthWest Service Academy (NWSA), part of the AmeriCorps national service initiative, that focuses on community work programs in education, the environment, health and human needs, and public safety in parts of Oregon and Washington. NWSA participants receive a weekly living allowance and basic health insurance, as well as a $4,725…

Presents an effective way to start a technological revolution in schools by beginning with a single exciting project that incorporates new technologies and then letting interest in the project prompt others to action. (JRH)

Investigates the applicability of two modified family systems constructs to parent-teacher relationships. Results suggested two related factors, joining and communication, as important elements of parent-teacher relationships. Data gathered in the second stage revealed that the joining factor included affiliation and support, dependability and…

Describes an upstate New York high school's success at restructuring its schedule according to a modified Copernican Plan. The Dover Renew 2000 block schedule divides the school year into trimesters; each term has two 120-minute periods and a shorter interest block. This approach "dejuvenilizes" the high school and allows more focused,…

Describes the "Private Eye Project" developed by Seattle artist and writer Kerry Ruef and piloted by the Seattle Public Schools. Program materials include a loupe (a jeweler's magnifying glass) and a kit of specimens. Transformed by the loupe, the most ordinary objects present new, analogous worlds leading to poetic and artistic…