This commentary discusses the four papers that comprise the special issue on dialogic teaching and learning, while making general observations that apply across the field as a whole. Similarities and differences are identified over the concepts of "dialogue" and "dialogic pedagogy". The possibility is raised that some aspects…

Discusses the education of future theater teachers. Describes teacher models, course content, improvisation, and the context of theater departments. (PRA)

The learning productivity approach to higher education attempts to gain productivity, not so much by reducing or cheapening inputs but by enhancing higher education's major output: student learning. In the learning productivity perspective, the principal problem is in teaching and learning inefficiencies such as excessive nonlearning time,…

The facts and ideas of subject matter are of little or no value unless such facts and ideas are used to promote thoughtful discourse. Those who teach with this idea in mind can be said to be thinking-skills centered or procognitive; those who teach without this idea in mind can be termed content-centered or procontent. The procognitive viewpoint…

An examination of the role of process and content in social studies is offered. Concludes that both are equally important and that diverse process goals may be emphasized in guiding students to achieve viable facts, concepts, and generalizations. (JDH)

Outlines a K-12 scope and sequence model for technology education that has as its integrating thread the concept that technology is fundamental to human survival and that its study leads to an understanding of culture. (SK)

Discusses four central issues related to teaching multicultural counseling: (1) the educational process; (2) the students; (3) the larger system; and (4) the departmental context. Suggests that counselors must be prepared to contribute to the growth of all clients and to recognize and validate cultural diversity. (JAC)

This paper suggests that the teaching of world history from a U.S. and European history viewpoint does not help students understand and develop insights about the contemporary world. The context within which current events occur is more important than simply teaching about specific facts. The process of learning must be considered along with…

Conceptual problems hinder the development of computer-assisted art instruction. Presented is a framework to guide the organization of instruction and to facilitate the selection of computer strategies appropriate to particular art learning situations. Various types of computer-assisted instruction are presented within a continuum of teaching…

Discusses the educational establishment and relates its position to the need for introducing controversial issues into elementary and secondary classrooms. The need for reform, beginning with science courses in the university, is suggested. (SA)

Traditional approaches to defining academic quality (reputational, resources, and outcomes or value-added) are criticized as not providing useful information. An alternative perspective is offered, focusing on fundamental course-level academic processes and defining the quality of such processes as the level of understanding of course content…

Presents a "Learning Process on Lay-offs" program designed to focus English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) teachers' energies on developing and managing a learning process that allows them to respond, on an on-going basis, to their learners' needs appropriately and creatively, especially with regard to the changing work world. (one…

The "problem-posing" education model of Paulo Freire takes as its departure point the life experience of the learner, rather than the teacher's knowledge. Ursuline College (Cleveland, Ohio) created several courses for returning adult students that were based on Freire's ideas. One course called "Humanities Focus on Life" is for…

Discussion of older adults in the workforce focuses on methods for training them how to use computers. Topics discussed include changes in processing information into memory, learning skills, learning processes, the learning environment, content planning, self-pacing materials, group and cooperative learning, and the instructor's role. (five…

Explores the mismatch between pedagogical intentions and learner outcomes and argues for learner centeredness as a central (yet relative) concept. Ways in which the relationship between teachers and learners and teaching and learning can be strengthened, e.g., experiential content, language content, and learning process, are explored, and examples…