REFLECTIONS ON VALUES,VISION, AND VITALITY: PERSPECTIVES FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

Participants at a recent Futures Assembly urged a reassessment of values when establishing perspectives for direction of community college development in the new century. The author affirms that there are five fundamental values that have given guidance in the past and can serve well in future decision-making: (1) People: This is the beginning point and the continuing point of reference. All aspects of what is done and how it is done derive from the people who are in the community; (2) Learning: The learning college will be part of a learning community. Learning must be perceived as an educational enterprise that extends beyond the schools and colleges to all people in the community during the span of their lives; (3) Connections: Community colleges do not do it alone. They need to connect in two ways. First with the conditions in the community that bear upon the lives of the people there, and second, when relating to other community organizations; (4) Opportunity: Former community college students declare that ''the college was the door to my future.'' The times in which we live require more than ever that colleges offer learning experiences described by students as essential to what they have become; and (5) Better lives: Better lives are what learners in community colleges are seeking and the way to what they want is through learning.     

BEING A LEARNER: A VIRTUE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

ABSTRACT:  Lifelong learning is something which one does for oneself that no one else can do for one: it is a public and personal human activity, rather than private or individualistic. One of the features of the education system is the paucity of a language for learning as process and participative experience. Personalised learning requires a sense of the worthwhileness of 'being a learner'– a virtue in the 21st century. A sense of one's own worth as a person is essential to understanding one's identity as a learner. Research suggests the human capacity to learn can be understood as a form of consciousness which is characterised by particular values, attitudes and dispositions, with a lateral and a temporal connectivity. This 'consciousness' has several dimensions which are all related to becoming a person, with a learning identity. They also enable the learner to become aware of and appropriate what is of worth and map onto the sorts of core values that learning communities espouse. Awareness of self and of one's own worth as a person is a necessary condition for 'becoming a learner' and for identifying and engaging with 'what is of worth'. Furthermore, a sense of self as a learner is formed in relationship, and understood as one learns to tell one's own story, as a participant in the conversation of the learning community. Character is the way in which we refer to that quality of personhood in which there is rooted the capacity to change and learn over time.     

A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Various experiments in distance continuing professional education via satellite in the Canadian province of British Columbia are described. The great distances separating the small scattered communities of the province make such a means of educational delivery’ essential; however, many professional educators have expressed doubts as to the real effectiveness of distance education programmes. The conclusion of the authors is that distance education degree programmes, backed by the latest communication technologies, are pedagogically effective and a major means to democratize access to higher education in difficult environments. These programmes definitely represent the wave of the future.     

面向21世纪的中国写作学

20世纪中国写作理论所取得的成绩是繁富的、多方面的。一是突出其本体与融合相关学科的新知；二是理论与实践的密切结合；三是“古为今用”、“洋为中用”；四是“合编”与“专著”互补。它遗存的问题是：（1）写作理论的学科地位；（2）写作理论体系的建构；（3）写作理论的本源；（4）写作理论的功能。     

新世纪中国后现代文化美学踪迹

后现代主义引发了当代中国多种问题，如中心与边际问题、价值平面问题、化观念特型等，讨论后现代主义问题己不是一个思路引进的问题，而是人类面临的一个共同的问题。面对后现代主义所引发的多种问题，新世纪当代中国学从哲学、政治学、心理学、学艺术等方面对其进行了研究探讨。     

SPECIAL ISSUE: AGING EDUCATION: PREPARING FOR THE 21ST CENTURY INTRODUCTION

Board and care owners and administrators must find new and innovative ways to meet the training needs of those on their staffs. The authors investigated computer-based instruction as a way to teach injury prevention techniques to these care providers. A computer-based (CB) training program was used that had been adapted from a print-based/instructor-led (IL) program. This article discusses the effectiveness of the CB training as compared to the effectiveness of the traditional IL format. The CB and IL versions of a prevention training program were presented to board and care staff during five sessions. The 78 participants were randomly assigned to either the CB or IL groups. Both the CB and IL groups significantly increased their knowledge scores from pretest to posttest. The CB participants reported that they enjoyed the training and had no difficulty using the computers, even though some of them had never used a computer previously for any activity. Computer-based training can be an effective alternative training technique for this population.     

论21世纪中国教学论发展趋向

中国的教学论发展面临人主义和创新教育的巨大冲击,其发展应避免走向三个误区：（一）从研究“教”向研究“学”转变;（二）从注重理论体系建构的学科重心向注重教学实践的问题中心转变;（三）从教学论研究向元教学论研究转变。     

EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER EDUCATION FOR THE 21ST CENTURY: NOT BY CHANCE

Abstract

This study examined correlations between teachers’ attitudes toward mathematics/teaching mathematics and the practice of developmentally appropriate mathematics. This study tested two independent variables: (1) kindergarten teachers’ attitudes toward mathematics; and (2) kindergarten teachers’ attitudes toward teaching mathematics; and their relationships with the practice of developmentally appropriate mathematics.

The researcher designed a survey questionnaire by cross‐referencing several instruments and the review of related literature. A sample of 200 kindergarten teachers was randomly selected from the Indiana Department of Education website directory. Of the 200 kindergarten teachers, 81 teachers participated in this study by returning the survey questionnaire to the researcher via the postal service, e‐mailing, or posting the response over the Internet.

Each independent variable was tested to determine the level of its statistical significance by using multiple linear stepwise regression procedures. The results of this study revealed that kindergarten teachers’ attitudes toward teaching mathematics were found to be a significant variable correlating with the practice of developmentally appropriate mathematics, but kindergarten teachers’ attitudes toward mathematics were not a significant variable.     

GERONTOLOGY EDUCATION FOR RECREATION SERVICE MAJORS: MEETING THE DEMANDS OF THE 21ST CENTURY

Due to an overwhelming increase in the population of older Americans in the next 30 years, many professions are preparing to meet the demands of an increasingly older clientele. This research was conducted to assess whether recreation professionals' level of education in gerontology is adequate to meet the demands of older adults in the future. It was found that opportunities for education in gerontology are abundant in many recreation and leisure studies programs. Most recreation curricula have gerontology classes and opportunities for minors in gerontology. Those that were lacking in this area were at least found to cover the topics in courses on lifespan development. However, it remains somewhat unclear how many students are taking advantage of these opportunities.     

21世纪素质教育与高校体育改革

学校体育改革必须以素质教育为导向，以终身体育思想为指导，建立和完善以适应全民健身运动的体育教学模式，使高校体育符合现代教育对人才培养的需要。     

THE ROUNDTABLE ON HIGHER EDUCATION: CREATING A NORTH DAKOTA UNIVERSITY SYSTEM FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

The Roundtable on Higher Education brought together the key stakeholders of the North Dakota University System (a unified system of 11 colleges and universities, including 5 community colleges) to establish consensus on a common vision, a clear set of expectations and the results for which the system would be held accountable. The roundtable effectively engaged these stakeholders at the front end of the process in a manner that made them active participants and led to the stakeholders taking ownership of the effort. Although there was an element of risk in this approach, the benefits have far exceeded expectations. This initiative is resulting in the development of a new relationship between the University System and the state's executive and legislative branches, as well as a new relationship between the University System and the private sector. Roundtable members refer to this new way of doing business as "public and private partnerships built upon mutual trust and a common purpose." Building these meaningful partnerships has taken a considerable commitment in North Dakota, but the results will likely have a major impact on the future of the state. The Roundtable on Higher Education has reached a level of accomplishment beyond the expectations of the State Board of Higher Education, the college and university presidents and those directly involved in the roundtable. For example, the landmark and comprehensive legislation passed during the 2001 legislative session was virtually identical to what was submitted. The State Board of Higher Education has authorized an entirely new funding model for the University System (as recommended by the roundtable), and the legislature granted the University System "flexibility with accountability"--a change that will be vitally important to the system's ability to play an expanded role in growing the state's economy. One challenge will be to maintain the momentum of this initiative, as well as the engagement of key stakeholders, especially since the initiative does not have an anticipated end date. Rather, it will be an evolving process with continued involvement by the key stakeholders. As targets are met and needs change, new recommendations will need to be defined. A high level of commitment will be essential to realizing the full potential of the roundtable. It is anticipated, however, that the project's success will help sustain it. The fundamental concept of engaging key stakeholders in developing consensus upon which to build a visionary plan is not original, nor is it unique to this initiative. Executive and legislative branch leaders in a number of states are attempting to better connect the tremendous resources and power of their higher education systems to the public agenda of their respective states. What is original and somewhat uncommon about this initiative is the application of effective leadership principles that help transform "knowing what needs to be done" into "making it happen." This leadership component is, undoubtedly, the most critical factor in the success of the Roundtable on Higher Education to date.     

聚焦21世纪人才基本技能的培养——美国的政策转换与实践

进入新世纪,社会经济生活等各方面都要求现在的学生掌握新的知识和技能。如何掌握这些技能已成为目前各国和各国际组织重点关注的问题。美国21世纪技能计划对21世纪人才技能教育提出明确的目标和实践方式,加入该计划的九个州也都根据自身实际情况制定和实施计划方案。尽管没有有效数据表明该计划在美国产生的具体影响,但美国及时的政策转换与实践还是给我们开展21世纪人才技能教育提供了不少学习和借鉴之处。     

试谈《二十一世纪报》阅读课程创新教学

英语报刊阅读作为一种新型的英语教学方式被引入课堂,必将丰富教学资源,拓宽学习和运用英语的渠道。以新课程标准为指导,在运用英语报刊进行英语阅读教学中,应综合应用听、说、读、写各项技能,以实现英语阅读教学的创新目标。     

浅谈《21世纪大学英语》的写作教学

在大学英语教学中 ,写作是大纲规定的学生必须掌握的技能之一 ;但在实践中 ,往往被忽略。文章分析了作者在教学中碰到的困难 ,并且试图结合《2 1世纪大学英语》这套新教材的写作练习编写特点 ,努力克服这些困难。实践是出真知的摇篮 ,作者愿意与感兴趣者共同探讨如何提高大学英语写作水平这一课题     

21世纪人文学术期刊编辑意识谈

新世纪的到来为人文学术期刊的发展提供了契机，人文学术期刊编辑应强化政治意识；把握期刊正确的政治方向，强化期刊政策宣传工具的作用；培养浓厚的文化意识，不断扩大知识面，培养一定的学术判断能力；树立积极的社会参与意识；积极理顺刊物出版过程中的各个环节，扩大对外交流。     

21世纪化学的新概念

作为新世纪的化学教师应及时了解本学科的新概念及新发展。本从化学的定义、研究对象、研究内容及研究方法等方面介绍了21世纪化学的新概念。     

AGING EDUCATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION: PREPARING FOR THE 21st CENTURY

Institutions of higher education have a stake in the demographic shift that will occur in the 21st century. Employers will depend on colleges and universities to produce a trained workforce and the general public will request information about aging processes and how to successfully age. By responding to the demands of employers and the general public, institutions of higher education will be faced with a number of challenges. This article considers six challenges facing institutions of higher education in the 21st century and how higher education might respond to these challenges. Potential barriers to meeting these challenges are also discussed.     

EDUCATING THE WORKFORCE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY: A Cross-Disciplinary Analysis of the Impact of the Undergraduate Experience on Students’ Development of a Pluralistic Orientation

This study extends the extant research demonstrating the educational benefits of diversity and examines how undergraduate students across disciplinary contexts acquire a set of pluralistic skills and dispositions necessary for today’s diverse workforce and society. The sample consisted of 4697 students who participated in a longitudinal study in the Fall of 2000 and Spring of 2002 at nine different public institutions. Findings from the study emphasize the importance of structural diversity in promoting positive interactions across race, which in turn produce positive indirect effects on students’ intergroup learning and second-year pluralistic orientation. The study also demonstrates the varying ways in which students in different majors acquire pluralistic skills, especially students in the engineering and life sciences. The study concludes with implications for practice and policy in the wake of the affirmative action case at the University of Michigan. This paper was originally presented at the Annual Meeting of the Association for the Study of Higher Education, November 4–6, 2004, Kansas City, MO.