Describes a critical reading unit in which one seventh-grade class read L. Sacher's "Holes" and three other classes read texts of their choosing along with a partner. Notes that the goal was to set up a context for the students, as readers, to experience the main character's growth--for them to become active, independent, passionate readers. (SC)

Explores the concepts and theories Dewey developed in the 1897 essay "The Significance of the Problem of Knowledge" and analyzes some current educational discussions of knowledge in the context of Dewey's thoughts. Cautions against casting different views of knowledge as dialectical oppositions. Agrees with Dewey on the importance of…

Examined preschoolers' inductive inferences across biological and non-biological kinds. Found support for gradual-enrichment model of conceptual change. Four-year-olds had a limited, coherent, independent biological theory which may form the basis of mature understanding of biological kinds. Explored results in terms of multiple explanatory…

Demonstrates that an understanding of children's language-acquisition difficulties with a wide range of syntactic constructions should be derived from limitations on the child's ability to deal with processing load and formal representational complexity. Maintains this can be done only in the context of a view of syntactic representation…

This study assessed the relationship between college students' identity development and their levels of academic achievement in an introductory psychology course. Results demonstrated the validity of Erikson's position that formation of identity continues into young adulthood. Study raises the issue of how intervention programs that assist…

Uses heuristic inquiry to explore learning in professional developmental relationships of nine mid-career women. Finds that women's developmental relationships are created and sustained largely through talk, and that they experience not only instrumental, performance-based learning, but also learning that significantly revises beliefs, attitudes,…

Adolescents with chronic illness confront barriers to accessing comprehensive transition services and face developmental challenges. Interdisciplinary transition planning should address health and career-related services that promote autonomy, proaction, and family involvement. (SK)

Views experiential learning as metaphor development. If a participant's enactment of a personal metaphor leads to an impasse during an adventure activity, this moment of "stuckness" is an opportunity to develop new images that generate new options for action. Facilitators must be sensitive to such situations and assist in widening…

Relates the development of the Kairos retreat at Georgetown Preparatory School and the positive responses and experiences of male youths who attended. States that the retreat experience invites youth to grapple with adolescent fears of loneliness, embrace an adult faith, and facilitate a new openness between teens and their families. (VWC)

Examined the evolution of metalinguistic skills (phonological and syntactical awareness) of 46 French-speaking children from kindergarten to the end of first grade and the relationship between those abilities and text comprehension. Found that metalinguistic skills progressed significantly, and syntactical awareness (word counting ability and…

Discusses the dynamics of cultural change and human development, considering their similarities. Highlights experiences with Tikuna tribe members involved in an educational and cultural project for cultural development and autonomy for community members, emphasizing moments related to critically thinking about one's cultural experience to develop…

Examined consistency in prosocial dispositions, using longitudinal data from preschool through early adulthood. Found that spontaneous prosocial behavior observed in preschools predicted actual prosocial behavior, other- and self-reported prosocial behavior, self-reported sympathy, and perspective taking in childhood to early adulthood. Prosocial…

Describes the stages of the transtheoretical model of change, in which the locus of control is with the changer. Compares this to the action model of change widely used in experiential education, and draws upon experiences in adventure therapy to show how using the transtheoretical model in debriefing can make experiential learning more effective.…

A study of 219 seniors, including a broad spectrum of student-athletes, at a Division III school revealed that athletic participation did not impede academic success, or prevent involvement in most other extracurricular activities or with nonathletes. Athletes' personal growth was positively related to time spent with teammates in games and…

Shows how education among traditional communities in Benin is an initiatory process where acquisition of practical knowledge is interwoven with religion and custom. States that rites of passage, tests, and acquisition of appropriate forms of knowledge may mark an individual's developmental stages. Describes several specific forms of education.…