Effective early childhood teachers use what they know about and have observed in young children to design programs to meet children's developmental needs. Play and active learning are key tools to address those needs and facilitate children's early education. In this article, the author discusses the benefits of active learning in the education of…

This paper considers the bottom-up vision of the learning society. Unlike the top-down approach, the bottom-up approach does not start by specifying the purposes of learning which should direct the development of the learning society, but from observing interactions among learning individuals as agents. While in the relevant literature and…

The instruction that we provide, the intellectual climate that we create, and the policy decisions that we make should all start with the question, "But will it improve students' learning?" Basic to any answer is the state of our knowledge about learning. A spate of recent research has resulted in comprehensive and lengthy reviews of surveys of…

This article discusses the importance of thinking about and identifying what one wants in a school--and deciding whether or not these are realistic expectations. One might want to consider the core values that attracts one to Montessori, and observe, when visiting a school, to see how these are expressed in the school day. The author points out…

Argues that general education has not traditionally emphasized inquiry or research skills. Discusses the School for New Learning at Chicago's DePaul University, which focuses on the development of critical skills and inquiry in undergraduates. Argues that self-directed learning is best suited for the demands of the 21st century. (34 citations)…

Discusses ways in which faculty professional development can be altered in order to accommodate a changing economy, new technology, and an increasingly diverse student body at the community college. States that a quality faculty professional development program will build a world of faculty learners prepared to lead and guide the world of student…

Graduates of Sudbury Valley School (Framingham, Massachusetts) relate their learning experiences, including the positive relationships they developed with adults, their active role in school administration, the importance of play to their learning, the values they acquired as a result of their schooling, and how their experiences prepared them for…

Discusses ways in which a global perspective can influence the college mission and curriculum. Asks what the institution, acting in a global capacity, can do for its students, rather than what the global economy can do for the institution. Warns that in the rush to globalize, college leaders must be clear about their purpose and focus on the…

Philosopher educator describes how she presents multiple perspectives in her teaching to create learning situations that instill a sense of wonder and curiosity. She is encouraged by increased recognition of the relationships among learning, social action, and social justice, and the recognition of the consciousness of different children.…

Describes the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at Parkland College (Illinois) as a model for how faculty can engage in learning to improve their teaching while helping students connect to their own learning in new ways. States that the center also helps part-time faculty by offering stipends for their participation. (NB)

Using the metaphor of a river to describe continuous and lifelong learning, this paper details an action research project aimed at developing effective learning environments in a large, distributed organization called Thiess Contractors Proprietary Limited, an Australian mining and construction company. Two major outcomes of the project are…

Based on the fact that the individual human mind is limited, conceptual frameworks and innovative systems in support of social interaction are a necessity rather than a luxury for the future information society. Conceptual frameworks need to be grounded in distributed cognition. Because "a group has no head," collaboratively constructed…