Optimistic approach to mass communication use in education in 1960s has not been confirmed by accomplishments in education for reasons both internal to educational systems and linked with technological changes in society. A more global and cultural approach should be taken in the creation and exploration of new configurations. (Author/MBR)

Explains background to development by the British Broadcasting Corporation of Inside Information, a course providing an introduction to information technology for adults, and its linking to the City and Guilds of London Institute's short-course program. Medium and long-term education scenarios are suggested based on the Inside Information model.…

Reviews evaluation studies, box-score reviews, and meta-analyses on effectiveness of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) conducted from the 1960s through 1980s, using student achievement as a dependent measure. Conclusions are drawn as to CAI's effectiveness with regard to social and academic achievement and a cost analysis of CAI is provided. (29…

Six individual articles describe the Indonesian distance education satellite system; technology's impact on education in China; computers in public education in Hungary; utilization of educational television in Niger, the Ivory Coast, and Senegal (written in French); the Japanese University of the Air; and educational technology in the Arab world.…

Explores the differences between educational and socio-political values. Maintains that the task of education is not wholly exhausted by the demands of government or prevailing society. Proceeds to consider the aims of multicultural education from a purely rational, culture-free, perspective. (JDH)

Explains, compares, and critiques the theories of knowledge offered by P. H. Hirst(1974) and S. Korner (1970). Concludes that the structure of knowledge presented in these theories provides valuable support for the goals of liberal education. (JDH)

Argues that the child-centered theme of natural development advocated in Rousseau's EMILE (Rousseau, 1911), provided an unduly traditional and restricted view of education for the female role. Maintains that the full development of girls requires a vision of how things ought to be and a willingness to defend such value judgments, rather than…

Building on the work of Piaget, this article examines how children explain scientific phenomena using simile and metaphor. Demonstrates the difficulty children have in constructing explanations which contain sufficient "semantic distance" to be effective. Contends that comparison-as-explanation may bid for a place among the basic "processes" of…

Argues that pupils' beliefs about what counts as historical explanation, usually the actions--and particularly the motives--of individuals, is an obstacle to their history learning. Superseding this personal level, and getting pupils to analyze a historical event as a whole, is where the mutual understanding between teacher and pupil collapses.…

Maintains that the practices of various school systems are not directly transferable to other societies, in part, because to be effective, each educational system must closely reflect the ethos of those it is called upon to serve. Examples of failed attempts to transfer practices are included. (JDH)

Explores the relationship between educational crisis and cultural crisis. Maintains that cultural change must come from within a society as well as from carefully adapted borrowing. Educational innovation must be a part of this process. (JDH)

Provides a definition of policy research in education. Identifies categories of policy makers and researchers, reviews models and content of policy research, and proposes a mechanism for setting policy research agendas. (JDH)

Reviews the school reform efforts that took place in Sweden between the mid 1940s and late 1960s. Draws four conclusions regarding school reform efforts, among them that: (1) reforms must be conceived in a wider socio-economic context and may not substitute for social and economic changes, and (2) reforms must take into consideration educators'…

Defines the 'monist' influences of centralized Soviet educational policy and attempts to conceptualize the elements of pluralism that function within this system. (JDH)

Provides a history of educational reform efforts since the early 1900s as they have been fueled by the economic needs of the Soviet command economy. (JDH)