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…

Asset-based community development (ABCD) is a promising practice for communities to engage in self-determination through the efforts residents invest in identifying community assets, framing and documenting the issues communities face, and taking action to advance quality of life. The ABCD literature does not report on the application of ABCD…

Children are active watchers of the world as they learn to be a part of their community. Field trips are a key component in addressing the 10 themes of the social studies standards through experiential learning. The authors recognize that in today's tough economic times, field trips that require additional funding may not be possible for all…

Whether playing outdoors or working on the farm, rural children acquire science and engineering skills throughout their daily lives. Although 11.4 million children in the United States grow up in rural areas, compared to 14.6 million in urban areas, relatively little attention is given to rural science education. This article demonstrates that…

A decision model is presented to help teachers intervene when severely disabled students fail to respond to relevant cues in the community. Five phases are addressed, including identifying those errors and deciding whether to allow a natural correction to occur. (CL)

If an educational program provides a theory of learning (defining specific competencies), and if community subsystems are understood and used in conjunction with academics, and if other learning resources (persons, events, media, etc.) are identified and catalogued, then the "community" can function as a total learning resource. (Author/JC)

The use of community resources in teaching consumer education provides teachers who are inherently interesting to students. Combining community resources with an experiential approach will encourage students to discover principles and develop reasoning skills important to consumer education. (JOW)

Describes a course on teaching and learning resources which relied solely upon students borrowing instructional materials from outside organizations, and was designed to provide students with an exposure to a wide variety of instructional media and with skills in the selection and evaluation of instructional materials. (CMV)

Designed for elementary school teachers in Santa Cruz, California, this book outlines an experiential approach to community study. Because the term community can encompass a scope as narrow as the school or as wide as the region, these guidelines are adaptable to several elementary grade levels. The book is arranged in six sections. The first…

The progress and achievements are detailed of three sites that implemented a modified Foxfire approach (a community-based experiential learning model invloving students in community research, interviewing, writing, publishing, and marketing their own magazine). Handicapped high schoolers interviewed and photographed successful handicapped adults,…

Based on a successful program for women conducted by Lutheran Settlement House in Philadelphia, this guide outlines step-by-step procedures for conducting educational field trips for students in adult basic education programs. The guide offers suggestions for identification of cultural, historical, and social resources that would provide valuable…

This publication stresses the existence of a wide range of instructional resources available to teachers planning field trips. The first chapter presents a brief history of educational field trips and their value as teaching tools. Teacher liability and school board policies are also discussed. Chapter Two deals with the details that must…

The Idea Tree suggests a variety of ideas for using community resources in classroom activities. Several suggestions are made under each of the following headings: student assignments (individual activities, for later sharing, dealing with enrichment of the resource topic or to supplement background information); small group assignments; whole…

Provides an overview of NATURESPACE, 4-H's new approach to environmental education. Explains its origin, philosophical orientation, and program possibilities. States how the goals of environmental literacy, personal resource management, citizenship, life-long learning, and career awareness are addressed through a variety of programs. (ML)