The need for professional personnel to work with Australians with developmental disabilities would best be met through establishment of multidisciplinary academic centers for teaching and research. Academic staff at these centers should hold conjoint appointments with relevant professional disciplines, and the centers should be networked with…

Microcomputers in education are only valuable if there is software to stimulate each specific student. Teachers must understand each student's learning style then use computer software to meet individual needs. Students should become aware of their individual learning preferences and apply specific techniques to acquire knowledge more efficiently.…

This paper describes the influence of constructivism on assessment practices used with special needs students. Features of assessment that incorporate a constructivist philosophy include those holistic, dynamic, and multidimensional in scope; complex interactions among development and the curriculum; metacognitive processes and strategic learning;…

Discusses the lack of teacher training provided for teaching assistants in history departments. Argues that emphasis on research and publication is misplaced because most new Ph.D.s will be teaching rather than publishing. Urges teacher training to prepare graduate students for their chosen profession and to improve undergraduate education. (DK)

Literature on word processing (WP) and writing in elementary classrooms is reviewed. Five propositions are constructed to provide a schema for understanding what is known and needs to be learned about young writers and WP. WP's effects on students' composing processes, written products, attitudes, and keyboarding/systems skills are considered.…

Aspects of the social theory of J. Habermas with implications for education are reviewed. Habermas had influenced thinking about pedagogical and administrative theory and about the societal role of education and educational practices. According to Habermas, critical social science requires mastery of the analytic and interpretive sciences, not…

The incorrect Humean notion of causation in the standard view of science has had devastating effects on social science research. Alternatively, scientific realism, as illustrated in R. Bhaskar's work, provides a scientific framework for research, incorporates the perceptions and intentions of participants, and advances critical values (i.e.,…

Describes reform of a Chinese vocational teaching program. Emphasizes a teaching structure combining theoretical and practical teaching. Lists prerequisites for an independent teaching system as suitable instructors (usually engineers), equipment for practice, and a transformation of the students' views toward study. Urges revision of teaching…

Tests theoretical perspectives about the effects of employment during high school. Supports a zero-sum model which suggests that working during high school subverts traditional academic goals. Finds no support for the developmental model which claims that employment during school builds character. Acknowledges that working to save money for…

Proposes a theoretical framework for including higher order thinking and problem solving in vocational education. Reviews recent theories of advanced learning, addressing the brain's role in constructing meaning, contextualized learning, and flexible cognition theory. Considers the applicability of hypertext and multimedia for learning complex…

Explores most transformative aspects of critical theory of schooling informed by imperatives of feminist politics of literacies. Feminism is a fundamental discourse for developing a broader notion of democratic struggle and social justice. Feminist theory is central to eliminating sexist, racist, and classist social practices, empowering students,…

A three-year study of graduates of a teacher education program assessed the extent to which education and subject matter coursework predicted teaching performance. Results indicated that coursework in teacher education made a positive difference in teaching performance and was a more powerful predictor of teacher effectiveness than measures of…

Profiles a few of the affinities between pragmatists and scientific realists, and indicates a few dramatic differences dividing these schools of thought. Pragmatic research is driven by anticipated consequences. Scientific realists hope to find the truth about what the world is really like. (SLD)

Argues that G. A. Cziko's conclusions about the inadequacy of mainstream educational research result from misunderstandings of statistical method, philosophy of science, and other topics. Perceptual control theory, which he espouses, may contribute for educational research but its potential does not result from shortcomings of mainstream…

The article provides a history of the status of preservice and inservice teacher education in Ireland from the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922 to the present, noting the role of educational research. It also examines the relationship of teacher education and educational research, focusing on six related themes. (SM)