This article examines community-driven adult environmental learning in a volunteer watershed stewards program. We look for evidence of elements that portray steps toward "concientización"--the process of individuals and communities directing their own learning in nonhierarchical ways. Leveraging two theories from the learning sciences…

The author, a political candidate, describes campaigns as events allowing citizens to assess candidates' knowledge of community problems. He documents the adversarial nature of a candidate's self-education and explores the relationship of the intellectual content of the political process to community development. (SK)

Community development makes use of what is now called strategic thinking and strategic planning. One crucial step in this process is developing strategies (and the subsequent tactics). First, the community development practitioner must assess the situation thoughtfully, and find out what resources the community has available, what is achievable,…

Two problem identification surveys conducted to support Extension Community and Resource Development programs in South Carolina's rural Williamsburg County focused on some implications for citizen involvement in public decision making, specifically in rural community development. A 1975 survey of 41 leaders and 1976 citizen survey of 214 rural…

Community problem solving as an aspect of continuing education is traced from the colonial period to the present. This review shows that educational programs to help adults identify and solve community problems are not a recent innovation. (Author/JOW)

The growth of individuals participating in community problem solving activities within a rural setting was the focus of this study. Using grounded theory methodology, data was obtained from literature, interviews with participants in four rural community problem solving groups, and one participant-observation study of a rural community problem…

Reports universal issues discussed by social welfare experts from 20 European/North American countries: unique energy of strong "local communities," stimulation of innovative thinking to resolve rural problems, and recognition that depopulated rural communities often regain strength and vitality when they become more accepting of new…

The persons and groups who held lead roles in the development of an electricity generating plant near Craig, Colorado, and/or aided in problem solving activities are the concerns of this examination of boomtown studies in which field theory is employed as a framework for assessing Craig's community structure characteristics. The usefulness of…

Rural and economic development efforts are inadequate responses to changing rural conditions. They fail because they are often top-down driven and few influential people are involved. Minnesota's Project Future is designed to help distressed communities take charge of their own direction. Developed on the principle of collective empowerment, this…

The 2.5-day workshop described in this manual was designed to meet the growing concern that small projects administered by the Peace Corps were not truly community projects or priorities. To foster more community involvement in the design, implementation, and evaluation of projects, this workshop is geared to the training of Peace Corps volunteers…

Popular theatre that speaks to the common man in his own language and deals with directly relevant problems can be an effective adult education tool in the process Paulo Freire calls conscientization--a process aiming to radically transform social reality and improve people's lives. It can also serve as a medium for participatory research. Popular…

Intended for agency field personnel who assist in local community development (CD) efforts, this publication is the second of three making up an intensive training manual for community development. Using an inservice training approach, this part of the manual contains four instructional units: rationale for CD training, what CD is (CD as process,…

This facilitator's guide explains how to lead a series of five sessions (study circles) designed to foster public dialogue and problem solving among citizens interested in meeting the challenges of community growth and development. The document begins with an introduction to the concept of study circles that examines the following: definition of…