Uses personal narratives and a literature review to examine the status of creativity in Finland's schools. Describes the Finnish school system and how creativity is nurtured at various grade levels, and examines how teachers can arrange a creative learning environment. Maintains that teacher-education departments need students willing to use their…

Recounts experiences of Brigham Young University student teachers in Mexican schools. Explores reasons for lack of interest in facilitating creativity, despite a rich culture. Discusses four positive changes occurring in Mexican education: (1) students allowed to write about their own topics; (2) open-ended questions and informal debates; (3)…

Examines the use of Vygotskian theory in early-childhood programs, focusing on how educators provide a medium of content and a means of communication allowing the child the opportunity to interact. Explains the concepts of scaffolding, the zone of proximal development, and inner speech. Delineates steps for guiding techniques to give language to…

Offers a perspective, grounded in theory and practice, on issues of readiness and education during the preschool and kindergarten years. Stresses the role of adult involvement in children's learning, and emphasizes preschool as an essential time for building cognitive skills. Illustrates with images drawn from practice in Korean early-childhood…

The successes and disappointments encountered in two programmatic efforts to incorporate effective instructional practices for students with learning disabilities into mainstream classroom activities are highlighted. The lessons learned from these two examples lead to implications for researchers and practitioners interested in improving…

Jiddu Krishnamurti created a worldwide network of schools with no method of education. He felt that a particular system hinders intelligent thinking. The attitudes and relationship of the teacher and child are more important. Education should cultivate the whole mind, not just the intellectual aspects, and help students develop a foundation for…

Bibliography of comparative and international education lists 937 journal articles published 1998-99. Categories are adult education; comparative studies; curriculum and instruction; educational planning, policy, and reform; ethnicity, race, and class; gender; higher education; indigenous and minority education; multicultural education;…

One of a series of articles on principles of good practice in legal education, this article focuses on the importance of encouraging active learning. Considers why active learning is important, identifies barriers to active learning, and suggests some active learning methods in legal education, including Socratic dialog, discussion, writing,…

Describes alternatives to the standard special education approach of assessment, referral, and placement. Provides three guiding principles that personalize the assessment process. Proposes solutions: meeting with parents to plan for student success, assembling a team of professionals to review and solve problems, and establishing formal…

At a Portland (Oregon) weeklong summer workshop, K-12 teachers connect with their peers, learn from professional writers, and develop skills for teaching writing. As follow-up, participants get four guest writers for weeklong classroom residencies, $400 for books, and additional meetings with fellow participants. The program has improved teaching…

Reviews the history of higher education as both a professional field and a disciplinary field in light of the current relationship between researchers and practitioners. Suggests that it is necessary to balance the competing interests of theory and research with the practical requirements of practice and policy. Suggests a focus on integration for…

Presents evidence that early and primary school learning exhibits features that previously were thought typical of adult learners only. Reconceptualizes child-centered primary education in light of theories on expertise, conceptual change, and epistemological development. Explores a theoretical approach to learning called progressive inquiry…

Focuses on Thomas Hobbes, an English political philosopher who argued that the solution to civil disorders lay in a sovereign authority backed with force. Argues that education should be seen at the center of Hobbes's project of rescuing society from the disorders threatening civilization throughout 17th-century Europe. (CMK)

Describes experiences of two early childhood teacher educators during their self-study of the design and implementation of intensive summer courses focused on preschool education in a diverse society. Notes that courses incorporated active learning principles to facilitate reflective teaching and that course participants identified components that…

Principal Chris Borgen has led the Fidalgo Elementary School in Anacortes (Washington) to excellence by collaborating with his staff on a commitment to student needs. They implemented a learning model that increased student achievement and IQ. In response to parent requests, a variety of approaches are used, including multiage classrooms,…