The president of the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) discusses the current state of environmental education and suggests several key issues to address when designing programs: (1) the basis of the program must be sound, unbiased science; (2) critical thinking must be at the core of the learning experience to make it effective and…

Argues that classroom art experiences that recognize the roots, and routes, of individual identities help form pathways for understanding ourselves and others' experiences. Talks about a trip to a Paiwan aboriginal community in southern Taiwan and the lessons learned about the integration of art with cultural life and identity. (DSK)

Presents a classroom trial exercise in which student teams representing the plaintiff and defense provide calculations of economic damages. Argues that because the exercise replicates actual activities by economists in trial settings, it is a credible exercise for motivating economics students in general and pre-law students in particular. (DSK)

Anecdotes about adventure experiences illustrate how an "artist"-facilitator seamlessly applies scientific methods while in the moment to best enhance student learning. Adventure educators can be artists by creatively framing, constructing, and debriefing the experience while not being central to the experience themselves, thereby…

Community leaders employ a blend of tangible tools, but the effectiveness of these tools depends on leadership skills. Describes five leadership qualities (purpose, values, talents, resources, and vision), and presents questions on each for leaders to reflect upon and answer. Sidebar describes a community leadership activity based on an adventure…

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…