This paper raises serious questions about the reliability of the learning pyramid as a guide to retention among students. The pyramid suggests that certain teaching methods are connected with a corresponding hierarchy of student retention. No specific credible research was uncovered to support the pyramid, which is loosely associated with the…

Too much classroom work is teacher-initiated, labor-intensive, abstraction-rich, and experience-lean. In contrast, science centers offer students a learner-initiated, discovery-rich opportunity to explore stimulating experiences, especially when second trips are made. Optimal learning occurs with a dynamic blending of abstract and experiential…

Identification of the basic skills and roles in field experience education should answer the question "Can and should educators identify a set of basic skills required for effective performance in experiential learning as part of general education?" New roles required of students in using experiential learning opportunities include initiator,…