This paper details three practical ways in which presenters can exceed expectations by addressing content as well as increasing participants' capacity for collaboration. The methods include providing the rationale for collaboration before group learning activities, encouraging participants in active learning, and focusing attention on…

Offers the following advice for teachers looking to integrate computers into their curricula: look around, software before hardware, and plan for continuing support and training. (RS)

Striving to be learning organization, Imperial Oil of Canada focused on organizational, divisional, and individual capability development. Lessons learned include the following: (1) all levels of employees are potential professionals; (2) learning must be continuous; (3) intrinsic motivation and commitment are essential; and (4) organizational…

Vocational teachers can improve collaboration with special educators by developing mutual understanding, trust, and shared vision; seeking best uses of resources such as time, personnel, facilities, equipment, and funding; and sharing information about the two fields through staff development activities. (SK)

An integrated approach to developing incidental trainers and teachers teaches learning-centered decision making for planning training and setting objectives. The learning model used for instructional design has five steps: be introduced to topic/skill, get to know it, try it, get feedback, apply it. (SK)

A survey of 380 trainers/personnel managers received 80 responses indicating that (1) larger organizations were more likely to institute ethics policies and programs and (2) most organizations are at a conventional level of moral development. (SK)

This article discusses comprehensive staff development plans for providers of services to individuals with visual impairments. It addresses how staff development can be planned, the purposes of staff development, how staff development differs from staff training, and options for delivering staff development (such as distance education). (JDD)

Organizational change should be approached first by identifying organizational goals, what people should produce to meet them, what kind of people are needed, and how performance can be elicited. The role of performance technology is to assist people in accomplishing the tasks necessary to achieve the goals. (SK)

Discusses some principles, considerations, and cautions for those creating staff development programs in whole language. Discusses factors necessary for effective implementation of whole-language programs. (RS)

The University of Missouri's Career Center uses student paraprofessionals as career specialists. They receive 100 hours of training and ongoing updating; responsibilities include interpreting assessments, helping deciding students, critiquing resumes and cover letters, sharing job hunting strategies, and updating occupational information. (SK)

Isolation, limited access to colleges and universities, and financial constraints restrict staff development opportunities for rural school systems. Recognizing these problems, the Virginia Middle School Association has adopted a regional conference structure that shifts meeting locations throughout seven major areas. The "hot topics"…

Suggests ways that transactional learning can be reflected in staff development practices. Addresses issues raised during attempts to implement a whole-language staff development program. Contends that what unites whole-language teachers is a unique but common orientation toward instruction and curriculum and that this orientation can be reflected…

Describes the Efficiency-Based Change Model, which takes into account the complexity of the change process for individual teachers. Notes that the model is being tested and refined within a variety of settings, including a staff development project designed to support a group of teachers as they explore ways to provide whole-language services to…

A rationale for teaching thinking skills to gifted students is presented, and a five-step approach is offered, including create a skills taxonomy, develop a scope and sequence chart, provide staff development time, develop unit plans, and teach and evaluate the lessons. (JDD)

Far West Laboratory has been working with groups of teachers to develop thematic Close-to-the-Classroom Casebooks. The cases are candid, dramatic, highly readable "snapshots" of on-the-job dilemmas, complete with the author's thoughts and feelings. The teacher narrative is accompanied by at least two educator commentaries aimed at…