Identifies the music skills and understanding taught during preservice training that in-service preschool classroom teachers perceived as practical and beneficial. Demonstrates that skills and understanding considered most useful provide students with direct music experiences; skills traditionally taught in music theory and history were not…

Presents three aspects of multi-professional shared learning. Discusses the levels of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that comprise a learner's "readiness" for Inter-Professional Learning and describes the design and implementation of a multi-professional shared-learning course. Identifies the educational principles underlying shared…

Describes the use of a mystery substance, Oobleck, in a graduate-level course for secondary special-education teachers that considered ways to teach science. Principles of science instruction, teaching students with diverse disabilities, instructional congruence, student assessment, and modifications are addressed. (DB)

Describes two experiential, academic activities for middle and high school students. Includes target group, group size, time and space requirements, activity level, props/preparation, and instructions. The activities enable students to identify the symbolic value of community places and architecture or raise student awareness about the…

The Sierra Institute offers field studies courses across the environmental studies spectrum from sciences to humanities, seeking an interdisciplinary approach to ecological literacy. Field studies hone critical-thinking skills by combining academic inquiry with group problem solving and discussion, experiential learning of wilderness skills, and…

Describes a bush camp in British Columbia (Canada) based on the Rediscovery concept. Guided by Kaska Dena and Sekani Elders, and based on traditional teachings, the week-long camp offers Native youth the opportunity to reconnect with the land and the cultural heritage it embodies and to make powerful new connections to their Elders and peers. (TD)

Service-learning pedagogies are used in K-12 and higher education to provide students with experiential learning opportunities and foster connections between students, their communities, and the world. Presents comments from librarians across the United States on their experiences with service-learning programs. Suggests strategies for libraries…

Discusses the importance of instructional design when developing learning activities that involve the use of technology. Topics include validity and value; supporting thinking processes; varied learning styles; learning plans; learning outcomes; teachers' roles; connecting experience and learning; outcome-based assessment; assessment tasks; and…

Presents a comprehensive definition of service learning in postsecondary education. Provides examples of service learning programs in community colleges. Discusses national initiatives to promote service learning experiences for students. Summarizes best practices for starting and managing such programs based on case studies in the literature…

Presents case studies of three science majors who decided to enter teacher education after participating in a classroom teaching assistant project. Finds that some academically talented science majors can be positively influenced to teach by direct work with students, opportunities to earn teacher certification with the science major, and frequent…

A study examined experiences of nature among eight adolescents during a 12-day wilderness trip. The trip generated feelings of good will toward nature but no increase in environmentally responsible behaviors. Group norms emphasized social interaction and constrained attention to nature. Outdoor educators should consciously plan for transfer of…

Describes distance education in an elementary science methods course using newsgroups and electronic mail discussion groups via computer. Compares the newsgroup to the discussion group and points out the importance of interaction in cooperative learning. (YDS)

Recommends the use of meteor scenarios in the classroom and describes how to conduct this activity. Discusses how to integrate mathematics, language arts, and social studies into the science curriculum. (YDS)

Discusses why group presentations are a valuable activity for humanities courses illustrating how presentations elicit discussions, enable students to share their talents, and make the study of art and history relevant to the students' lives. Addresses the formation of groups, the guidelines for assignments, and the evaluation of the group work.…

A work of art documents the artist's perceptions. The conundrum of how to communicate one's perceptions effectively is the foundation of art. Making art in the classroom involves dialogs between artists and themselves, and artists and their audience. An entire class collaborating on a work augments the learning experience. Instructions are given…