This article provides a brief introduction to learning organization and systems thinking. It contains three experiential learning activities designed to teach systems thinking concepts. The first activity, "Pellets," helps learners discover the advantages of applying systems thinking to the solutions of workplace problems. The next two…

This book presents 20 projects for technology education students. The emphasis is on problem solving and hands-on learning through projects dealing with a wide variety of technologies/industries, including the following: robotics, information storage and retrieval, communications, transportation, electronics, manufacturing, construction, materials…

This paper documents the "inspection visit" program which existed at the University of Illinois library school between 1895 and 1948 whereby library school students would take extended "field trips" to nearby or even distant libraries. Topics include issues concerned with the visits themselves, their role in the library school…

This manual provides an overview of the concepts and issues involved in the assessment of prior learning in the context of the increasing numbers of older, nontraditional students returning to higher education. Section 1 gives background information about prior learning assessment (PLA) and defines PLA as assessment by some valid and reliable…

Authentic assessment differs from traditional paper-and-pencil assessment in that it is designed to reflect students'"real world" experience. Authentic assessments may assume a variety of forms (including demonstrations, oral interviews/presentations, simulations, self-assessments, and peer/instructor evaluations); however, their focus is always…

Inspired by the High/Scope educational approach, this book attempts to systematically and objectively compare different curriculum-based approaches to training early childhood teachers, and to assess how these models could individually and collectively address the problem of improving early childhood program quality nationwide. An analytical and…

Open-ended learning environments (OELEs) provide contexts to support exploration, experimentation, and problem-solving. This paper creates a context for understanding the issues and challenges associated with the design and development of OELEs. Discussion first centers on characteristics of OELEs which differ from traditional learning…

This paper describes experiences from a summer internship in a North Carolina wilderness program for youth 8-18 years of age with a diagnosed learning disability or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Children with ADD are trial and error learners, which makes them excellent candidates for experiential learning. Children with ADD are seekers of…

A study examined how developmental learning and adaptive flexibility relate to critical thinking though a survey of 119 organizational leaders (of 341) who had attended a 5-day Leadership Development Program. A questionnaire adapted from the Center for Creative Leadership's Job Challenge Profile measured developmental learning, the Adaptive Style…

The Volunteer-led Investigations of Neighborhood Ecology, or VINE Program, gives children opportunities to discover and investigate the plants, animals, and ecological relationships that exist right in their own neighborhoods through hands-on natural science investigations. It was established by Denver Audubon Society members as an urban education…

This book describes acclimatization, an approach to nature education that actively involves participants in the environment during a 1-week summer camping experience. The goal is to stimulate awareness of nature, increase appreciation of nature, and motivate further involvement with nature. An outcome of this process is that participants…

This publication is designed to introduce students and teachers to the Model United Nations experience. The Model United Nations is a simulation of the United Nations (U.N.) system in which students assume the roles of ambassadors to the U.N. and debate the current issues on the U.N.'s agenda. This guide is organized into three chapters. The first…

This manual was developed to assist youth ages 9-11 in developing lifetime leadership skills. The manual describes learning activities in the following areas: (1) understanding self and self-esteem promotion; (2) communicating; (3) getting along with others; (4) learning to learn; (5) making decisions; (6) managing, planning, and organizing; and…

This manual was developed to assist youth in grade 7 (age 13 and beyond) in developing leadership skills. The aim of the project is the development of lifetime skills related to leadership. The manual describes 75 learning activities in the following areas: (1) understanding self; (2) communicating; (3) getting along with others; (4) learning to…

This manual was developed as part of a project to help youth in developing leadership skills. Youth learned skills by observing and participating in groups working together. The manual describes learning activities in seven areas of leadership life skills: (1) understanding self; (2) communicating; (3) getting along with others; (4) learning to…