Reading response groups are an outgrowth of theories which suggest that: (1) meaning derived from text is highly individualized and personal, and (2) reader understanding is deepened through interactions among peers. A study examined the non-participation in one reading response group composed of four high-achieving adult readers who were…

Slowly, some universities are beginning to shift towards a new paradigm, the "learning paradigm," that proposes that institutions of higher learning exist not to provide instruction but instead to produce learning. The learning paradigm focuses on teaching critical thinking skills as life skills. If a university follows the learning…

This chapter elaborates on some guidelines for and methodological variations of action research approaches to the study and creation of change in mathematics education. Focus is on the interplay between evolving research on and change in mathematics practice that occurred in schools and classrooms of experienced high school mathematics teachers.…

Based upon principles of inquiry, collaboration, and action research, the Quest project supports and investigates ongoing school improvement efforts in a four-state region (Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, and Virginia). Since 1996, Quest activities have included biannual conferences and summer symposia for school improvement teams, a Scholars…

The role of education in the art museum has taken on new dimensions as their education departments are faced with a broader and larger public audience than ever before. This paper documents education practice at a contemporary art museum. The paper delineates an interpretive inquiry through which a group of museum educators sought to understand…

Argues for a view of teacher research that, regardless of its highly contextualized and particularistic foci, is consistent with and meets the evaluative standards that are applied to research in general. The article also maintains that teacher-research should be sensitive to ethical issues and serve to strengthen relationships between research…

This article, written by four undergraduates with extensive experience in community-based research (CBR), summarizes each author's project and offers their views on conditions necessary for CBR success and benefits of CBR for students. (Author)

Community educators in six cities involved youth in documenting ethnic gardening practices with master gardeners. Interviews with 29 educators, 28 participating youth, and 4 gardeners found that youth learned about gardening, developed positive relationships with elders, and enhanced skills. Implementing participatory research required more…

Two articles ("Popular Education in Nongovernmental Organizations" by Magendzo and "Transference and Appropriation in Popular Education Interventions" by Vaccaro) provide a view of the Interdisciplinary Program for Research in Education's role as an organization sponsoring popular education programs and research in Chile and…

Application of a knowledge and information systems perspective shows how agricultural innovation can be enhanced through networking. In the Netherlands, a number of alternative systems of inquiry and learning are infused with this perspective: participatory technology development, participatory rural appraisal, soft systems methodology, and rapid…

For minority groups disproportionately affected by AIDS, participatory action research provides a model for collaboration between health workers and communities to identify barriers to prevention unique to the community and to facilitate participation in the design and delivery of interventions. (SK)

Describes projects of the School of Social Work at Central America University, Nicaragua: (1) development of a postgraduate course for professionals; (2) discovery learning and participatory action research in a fishing village; and (3) application of participatory approaches to rural development. (SK)

Sustainable development means educating the powerless to become empowered. The changed role of development workers requires participatory training that gives them the experience of nonhierarchical collective learning and decision making. (SK)

Two studies are reported: one in which case study, evaluation, and action research inquiries were done for students' theses; the other involving a collaborative action research project by the staff at one British school. The effects on participating teachers are reported. (24 references) (Author/LB)

Implemented participatory action research approach to policy making in effort to promote partnership between consumers and professionals by deliberating together on issues and values underlying Rehabilitation Act. Results found consumers and nonconsumers agreeing on need for adequate funding of vocational rehabilitation programs and use of…