This book is designed primarily for potential and inservice vocational instructors who are pursuing a program of personal and professional development which will ensure competency in this specialty. In any state in the United States, there are a number of uncredentialed instructors who teach courses in vocational education. Although these individuals may be competent enough in their subject matter areas, there is an obvious deficiency in the foundations of vocational education. Foundations of vocational education help vocational educators lay a solid foundation from which they can better help students hold aloft the banner of the full range of education for work, which is career and technical education in its modern sense. From this standpoint, this book is an excellent textbook for undergraduate and graduate students at university settings. Appealing foundation books are normally concerned with historical, philosophical, and social considerations of vocational education. The basic principles of vocational education must be covered in these books. Such prominent elements can be found from Evans and Herr’s (1978) Foundations of Vocational Education to Gray and Herr’s (1998) Workforce Education: The Basics. This book is no exception.

Like most good educational interventions, problem-based learning (PBL) did not grow out of theory, but out of a practical problem. Medical students were bored, dropping out, and unable to apply what they had learned in lectures to their practical experiences a couple of years later. Neurologist Howard S. Barrows reversed the sequence, presenting students with patient problems to solve in small groups and requiring them to seek relevant knowledge in an effort to solve those problems. Out of his work, PBL was born. The application of PBL approaches has now spread far beyond medical education. Today, PBL is used at levels from elementary school to adult education, in disciplines ranging across the humanities and sciences, and in both academic and corporate settings. This book aims to take stock of developments in the field and to bridge the gap between practice and the theoretical tradition, originated by Barrows, that underlies PBL techniques.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) has become a vibrant source of workforce development across the globe. It is no longer an offering only for a specialized sector of students. Instead, it has matured into a sound and meaningful program for high school and postsecondary students across interest areas, and abilities. CTE programs and students realize the great relevancy of the programs to workplace and higher education readiness and immediate earning power. This volume addresses the changing needs of foundation courses in CTE. As land grant universities began to offer courses to cover the historical, social and philosophical aspects of CTE, teaching institutions have followed suit. Therefore, readers will find not only a rich background in history and philosophy of the field, but also theory, best practice, and strategies specifically grounded in CTE. As scholars and practitioners argue whether human resource development (HRD) encompasses CTE or vice versa in the field, this text proves that HRD is an integral component and thrust of CTE. As a broad field of study, CTE has come a long way and its history parallels the efforts of humanity from the Stone Age to modern civilization. Building Workforce Competencies through CTE proves that CTE survived, and thrives. The more we realize how pervasive technology and information skills are needed in our society, the more we need CTE. CTE is a leader in innovative educational programs, pedagogical theory and practice; it prepares people, young and old, for the world of work. This book provides a practical and visionary basis for cultivating future opportunities and directions in CTE.

The Third Edition of the highly acclaimed Encyclopedia of Special Education has been thoroughly updated to include the latest information about new legislation and guidelines. In addition, this comprehensive resource features school psychology, neuropsychology, reviews of new tests and curricula that have been developed since publication of the second edition in 1999, and new biographies of important figures in special education. Unique in focus, the Encyclopedia of Special Education, Third Edition addresses issues of importance ranging from theory to practice and is a critical reference for researchers as well as those working in the special education field.

Best Practices and Strategies for Career and Technical Education and Training is a reference guide for novice instructors. It contains a basic overview of the mission, goals and evolution of career and technical education and training as well as a practical guide of effective instructional and team practices and strategies. The book is intended for new educators and trainers interested in classroom management and leadership techniques to achieve instructional effectiveness.

This book provides insight into the history and current status of teaching in technical and vocational education across a broad range of countries. It contains studies of the profiles of teachers and lecturers and their educational practices. An overarching introduction embeds the content of the book into the current global context of Technical and Vocational Education and Training. This is the first substantial volume on the topic in 30 years.

This handbook provides an overview of workplace learning from a global perspective.

An estimated 30% of California's entering 9th graders do not finish high school. In L.A. County the dropout rate, estimated at 55%, is higher than the graduation rate. The current focus on career tech. ed. (CTE) is a measure of the intensity of the search for solutions. CTE -- with its real world relevance and project-based learning -- is a way to engage students in education that is different than a purely academic approach. This study of CTE found encouraging evidence that CTE -- in its modern, academically demanding form -- can deliver an alternative approach to learning that can keep students engaged, help improve grade point averages and prepare students for both the work world and higher education. Illustrations.