Training can generate long-term benefits for both camp staff and the camp, but camp administration must commit to creating a positive learning environment. Describes the benefits of training, how to identify training needs, key components of training, determining the delivery format, follow-up and retention, and seeking feedback from participants.…

A study investigated effects of a graduated instructional strategy on solution of algebra problems involving subtraction of integers for three adolescents with learning disabilities. Students successfully moved through three levels of instruction: concrete, semi-concrete, and abstract and applied a first letter acronym, STAR, to help them…

Religion and spirituality influence people's lives and behavior. Eight major religions are briefly explained so that experiential educators can examine what they mean and draw implications for addressing spirituality in educational programs. Excerpts from new federal guidelines about religion and schools are presented to consider from a global…

Presents an authentic semi-guided student research project. Studies the impact of a regional invasion of non-indigenous worm species on decomposition in forest soils. Describes the experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation of the data. (Contains 16 references.) (YDS)

Discusses an activity that uses the metaphor "the mind is a black box," in which students work in groups to discover what is inside a sealed, black, plastic box. States that the activity enables students to understand the need for theories in psychology and to comprehend how psychologists build, test, and refine those theories. (CMK)

Contends that children's playfulness with flashlights is an artform suitable to the art classroom. For example, flashlights can become drawing tools or a means of sculpting with forms and light. Discusses works by "flashlight artists" and considers flashlight art history in the classroom. (CMK)

Defines whole language as a spirit that provides shape or climate for a classroom by emphasizing the use of literature and activities that are experience or contextually based. Explains that whole language approaches strive for authentic or real situations in which learning comes naturally. Maintains that whole language is not just a trend. (TB)

(MDH)

Claims that children have a natural curiosity for their environment. Describes children's interaction and involvement in an activity with different kinds of insects in a Head Start classroom. Encourages parents to allow children to investigate without being too preoccupied with concerns for order or cleanliness. (MOK)

Outdoor education experiences have the power to stimulate physical, intellectual, aesthetic, and spiritual development and can lead to greater understanding of environmental consequences of one's actions. Describes various lifestyles' connection or disconnection to environmental consequences. Discusses recognition of one's spiritual involvement…

Describes an experiment designed to teach students to accurately identify and measure changes in plant morphology and chemical composition due to environmental stresses. Contains 31 references. (DDR)

Presents an argument for inquiry-based activities and defines science as talking to the material world. Discusses the notion that a hands-on activity is an inquiry-based activity only if a dialog with the material world takes place. (DDR)

Personal narrative links elements of a dog sledding trip with the transformational curriculum model as applied to outdoor education. Describes the physical, mental, and spiritual challenges of a seven-day winter camping and dog sledding trip, during which students learned responsibility through experience and natural consequences and realized the…

Discusses developmental philosophy and psychology as they relate to the education of children, to teacher development, and to the training of counselors. The article emphasizes John Dewey's developmental perspective, his idea of human development as the aim of education, his expanded view of the scientific method, and his belief that direct…

Examines the implementation of a situated-learning approach used in a nontraditional setting for an instructional technology course. Students were corporate employees taking the course at their workplace and using authentic work projects for learning. Research questions focused on blending business and academic goals and requirements, kinds of…