Making errors can be a salutary learning experience. The problem in outdoor adventure education is to protect the error makers from real harm, which requires careful structuring of the learning situation. Discusses error limits, how much error correction is appropriate, involving participants in decision making, video playback and debriefing…

A parable illuminates the important interrelationship among aspects of outdoor education: adventure education, outdoor activities, environmental education, and deep ecology. A second parable illustrates the importance of understanding and connecting with nature and how this can be achieved through direct experience with the natural world. Includes…

Describes strategies for connecting children and adults with nature, including providing opportunities to experience nature through all of the senses, changing the perspective on nature by using the senses to focus on the natural world, and using the natural world to cultivate a sense of awe and wonderment. (LP)

Presents remarks from a keynote address given by the Senior Advisor for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education at the New England Conference on Community Service Learning (1994). The speech offers insights into the policy goals of President Clinton's Department of Education. (GR)

An effective staff development method for child caregivers is a workshop series combining research-based knowledge, interactive resources, and experiential learning. New York's experience demonstrates the importance of training the trainer; paying attention to adult education principles; and forming coalitions with local child-care councils,…

Describes a school tour launched by a supermarket to familiarize children with basic facts about nutrition and healthful eating. Discusses visits to a perishable foods department, a shopping activity, a recipe preparation activity, and Food Pyramid activity. Suggests making enquiries about such tours with local supermarket chains and bringing it…

Drama in middle-school classrooms can provide action, experimentation, and exploration of character, motivation, and text. Because it provides expanded contexts for language learning in a cooperative social setting, drama has numerous educational benefits for young adolescents. Short drama activities for middle schoolers include story reading,…

Discusses environmental awareness and ethics as programmatic focus of outdoor recreation and education programs. Reasons for incorporating recreation into environmental education programs include "acclimatizing" students, turning abstract information into concrete positive experiences, providing skills for lifelong leisure, changing…

Sixth graders at Kamehameha Elementary School ascended a high mountain peak, successfully orienting themselves for over 5 miles using topographical maps and compasses and the knowledge, skills, and attitudes acquired at school. The article describes the program, noting the knowledge and tools students used to accomplish their goal. (SM)

Discusses how two small children learned important lessons by being allowed to make their own decisions and think their way through situations rather than being told by adults how to handle those situations. The article highlights the importance of discovery learning and the development of self-confidence. (SM)

A Wisconsin school district has strengthened community education by developing animal welfare and entrepreneurial programs. These and other programs are part of School-Connections, a project of the Institute for Responsive Education. Students work with adult advisers on individually tailored projects, gain real-world experience, and make genuine…

Compares action technologies on eight dimensions: purpose, primary focus, theoretical foundations, ideological focus, key strategies, facilitator role, research aim, and validity criteria. The technologies are action learning, action research, action science, popular education, participatory action research, and collaborative inquiry. (SK)

Hands-on archaeology in empty lots of recently razed structures is recommended as part of the curriculum for gifted elementary and secondary students. Guidelines for designing the educational experience include establishing expectations, forming working hypotheses, gridding the site, record keeping, artifact labeling, and producing a site report.…

Discusses the evolution of constructivist learning environments and examines the collaboration of simulated software models, virtual environments, and evolving mental models via immersion in artificial realities. A sidebar gives a realistic example of a student navigating through cyberspace. (JMV)