Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the benefits and challenges of using a virtual learning community (VLC) as a vehicle for workforce development. This paper argues that VLCs provide a flexible vehicle for workforce development. However, workplace realities may lead to unexpected challenges for participants wanting exploit the…

A study investigated which experiences helped Japanese learners of English as a second language acquire native-like politeness strategies and how Japanese businessmen perceive the relationship between degrees of indirectness and politeness in Japanese and in English. Subjects were 22 adult males, including 17 native speakers of Japanese working…

This report examines the strengths and weaknesses of educational and career guidance in seven Organisation for Economic Development (OECD) countries. Chapter 1 defines educational and career guidance as embracing three key elements: educational, career, and personal/social guidance. Described in chapter 2 is the role of educational and career…

This collection contains 14 papers that focus on the work and workers in higher education (HE) from a British perspective for the purpose of encouraging further research, study and debate in the exploration of the dynamics within HE. The book is divided into three parts. Part 1 addresses the workers, part 2 the work, and part 3 the work context.…

Project EXCEL, a workplace literacy project involving four small business enterprises in San Francisco, is evaluated. The project focused on literacy and basic skills training for limited-English-proficient (LEP) workers. The businesses included the following: a communications and mass mailing firm; a dessert wholesale company; a Mexican…

The first part of this paper reviews the literature on fundamental issues that relate to the work of teachers as the national curriculum is implemented in the United Kingdom. These issues include: (1) the work day of junior and secondary school teachers; (2) the politics and sociology of teaching; (3) the work of primary school teachers; and (4)…

This study approaches the issue of quality in the teaching force using a microeconomic framework that applies the concept of "opportunity cost." As teaching is a low-paid profession, accepting a teaching position may be associated with high opportunity costs (foregone benefits) for more academically talented college students because they could…

Based on interviews with 29 librarians at a midwestern research university, this publication serves as a benchmark for what it is like to work as an academic librarian in a U.S. research university in the mid-1990's and considers changes occurring within the wider field of librarianship. Chapter 1 begins with a broad overview of the concept and…

These five brochures describe the IBM Corporation's policies, programs, and initiatives designed to meet the needs of employees' child care and family responsibilities as they move through various stages of employment with IBM. The Work and Personal Life Balance Programs brochure outlines (1) policies for flexible work schedules, including…

This report examines the results of an international study of higher education systems, based on surveys of approximately 1,000 faculty in each of the following nations: United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Russia, Sweden, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Israel, and Australia. Findings are organized around seven…

This report describes a partnership between Portland Community College (Oregon), private industry, and public agencies to develop and implement a comprehensive program to recruit, train, and place women in apprenticeship and other nontraditional employment in the building trades. The Building Futures in Industry and Trades (B-FIT) program's final…

This book presents an assessment of collective bargaining in education. During the 1970's, while student enrollment declined, organizations representing public school teachers grew. Both the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers more than doubled their membership. Teacher contracts have expanded to include areas…

This student guide is intended to assist persons employed as supervisors in understanding the law relating to discipline and implementing disciplinary procedures. Discussed in the first five sections are the following topics: knowing the rules pertaining to employee discipline (getting information and making judgments); handling discipline…

PETCO is a simulated corporation used as a teaching tool in the pre-employment training program at the Galang Refugee Processing Center in Indonesia. The refugees in the program are in low-level classes. The use of the simulation allows the staff to present hands-on, task-based learning techniques to address four major concerns of refugees…

Supported employment offers opportunities for severely disabled adults to carry out paid work at regular work sites within their communities and provides a path to normalization. Supported employment differs from traditional programs in that the positions are integrated into the community, skills are taught on the job, and support is need-based…