The term "contextual learning" refers to the type of learning that has also been called experiential learning, real-world education, active learning, and learner-centered instruction. Unlike traditional school learning, which is based on the principles of individual learning in a manner that is independent of tools and dependent on…

Surveying a project that was conducted through the Center for the Study of Writing at Carnegie Mellon University, this book details the classroom inquiries conducted during the 4-year project (1988-1992) by 33 teacher-researchers from secondary and postsecondary classrooms. The articles and their authors are: (1) "Teachers as Theory…

This collection of essays gives an overview of recent trends and developments in second language instruction, particularly in the context of British education. Contents include: "From Complacency to Conviction: Thirty Years of Language Teaching Theory, Practice, and Policy" (David Phillips); "Lessons from the Graded Objectives…

Research conducted by the National Research Center on Student Learning (NRCSL) is reviewed as it moves toward a new understanding of learning and instruction. Research by the NRCSL into the kind of learning demanded by modern life has been shaped by the understanding, based on earlier research, that knowledge is actively constructed in the mind of…

This paper examines the role of work in a psychology work/study curriculum at Antioch College (Ohio), and argues that the view of student's work that is described may represent a missed opportunity to help students learn. Students, through interviews and journal entries, provided their opinions regarding if and in what ways their classes…

This book offers a comprehensive examination of the importance of educating professionals for practice in the 21st century and why and how that education needs to differ from the curricula of today. The book contains 13 chapters divided among 3 main parts: part I explores the broad social trends and political forces affecting professionals and…

This paper describes a methodology for helping institutional research assess its roles and its effectiveness in supporting decision-making at all institutional levels. The paper discusses how to meet this goal by planning, doing, checking, and acting. Planning requires the understanding of the roles of the data custodian, the broker, and the…

This book offers a new culture-based framework that provides a way to research and develop curricula based on respect for diverse cultures. The Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) culture is used as an example to examine the reasons for prevailing stereotypes about American Indians and to explain how those stereotypes became the standard curriculum taught in…

Many theories of career development are derived from theories of personality; however, broader perspectives on career development are being built on emerging research focused on gender, race, ethnicity, and social class. The main career development theories are as follows: trait and factor theories (which assumes the possibility of matching…

This report presents ten recommendations for the radical reconstruction of undergraduate education at research universities in the United States offered by a national commission. Background information is provided in the first three chapters. An overview notes that undergraduates at research universities too often have been shortchanged and that a…

The 21 papers review the most recent research approaches to multicultural education and discuss initiatives for new methods of teaching and learning. More than 400 people from 12 countries participated in this conference. The first section, "Theoretical Reflections on Multicultural Education," contains five articles on curriculum development and…

Collaboration between schools and institutions of higher education (IHE) is usually effective only when values are shared and mutual dependencies are recognized. These conditions are uncommon. The foundation upon which such collaboration could be developed requires several building blocks: (1) developing shared goals regarding teacher learning;…

Clinical experiences remain an integral component of teacher preparation programs. One type of clinical experience is the Comprehensive Scope and Sequence Model, which calls for five hierarchical levels of clinical experiences: (1) college classroom practice activities; (2) campus laboratory practice activities; (3) block practicum field…

A series of eight videoconferences was designed to help educational professionals improve schools by applying knowledge gained from research. During the videoconference programs, which are transmitted by satellite to facilities with receiving capacity, viewers can interact by telephone with the program presenters. Each program covers a specific…

Using a case history approach, one teacher's attempt to integrate theory and practice in an elementary English-as-a-Second-Language classroom is described. Paulo Freire's problem-posing educational model is examined in terms of its capacity to incorporate effectively the following theoretical premises: (1) language and culture form an inseparable…