Identifies "dummy runs" as those educational approaches and exercises that are unrelated to any real-life experience or goal. For example, writing a model business letter to a fictitious business. Maintains that social studies educators should avoid this approach and emphasize "real world" relevance and citizenship education.…

Reports on a class project that combined an examination of social class and political power with an introduction to sociological research. The project consisted of compiling biographical profiles of cabinet members from the Ronald Reagan, George Bush, and Bill Clinton administrations. Introduces students to issues of conceptualization,…

Two models for public administration field experience programs are outlined, both designed to connect management theory to practice through observation and peer interaction. In the first, student teams observe and report daily operations of an organization; in the second, teams observe, report, and also serve as organizational consultants. Both…

Case study of implementation of the Project Adventure curriculum in the physical education programs at two urban alternative elementary schools focuses on perceptions of two physical education teachers. Discusses teachers' goals and practices related to developing student self-esteem, social skills, responsibility, enjoyment of learning, cognitive…

Reiterates the oft-heard complaint that social studies instruction relies too heavily on textbooks and lectures resulting in disinterested and alienated students. Recommends social studies adopt more experiential and constructivist teaching methods (role playing, educational games, student projects) and utilize multimedia and the Internet. (MJP)

Presents ideas for a lesson that allows elementary and secondary students to experience an iconic representation of the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt in the classroom. By visualizing the quilt exhibit through pictures of individual panels, students can develop a greater appreciation of the human toll taken by the AIDS epidemic. (SM)

Describes a teacher education program that provides multiple opportunities for preservice teachers to construct and reflect on learning to teach. The program emphasizes helping teachers to see themselves as learners, as teachers of content, and as researchers. Examples of course work and assignments that reflect a constructivist perspective are…

The New American College is a model of higher education and adult learning which stresses an integrated academic culture, connecting general education with specialized education, including professional education, and theoretical learning with practical application. It provides a highly intentional learning environment and individual attention,…

Three principles that guide documentation and assessment of children's early science understanding are: collect a variety of forms of evidence, collect evidence over a period of time, and collect evidence on the understanding of groups of children as well as individuals. Information and insights gained from this process help teachers plan future…

A study examined an adventure education program's impact on college students' learning and overall university experience. Focus groups conducted with 14 college freshmen in a learning community program indicated that the adventure education program enhanced connections between students, faculty, and the university; promoted experiential learning…

A study examined student learning in the workplace. Surveys of 1,451 students from 13 Australian secondary schools and 9 case studies found that communication skills and finding out what workplaces are really like constituted the bulk of workplace learning. Students reported learning experientially, and learning more in paid work and vocational…

Presents 10 ideas for service learning projects designed for elementary schools. Includes having students do local history projects complete with interviews and artifacts, learn about community volunteering, interact with the elderly, care for the environment, recycle materials, and hold canned food drives. (MJP)

This study examined how prior knowledge and experience influenced first-career and second-career beginning science teachers' curriculum and classroom instruction. Observations and interviews indicated that teachers compromised their beliefs about good content and became similar by the end of the year. The classroom curricula of both groups emerged…

Explores techniques for creating cohesive active learning communities in which information can be linked to real-world experiences. Discusses four types of interactions that take place in distance learning environments: learner-content, learner-instructor, learner-learner, and learner-interface. Offers strategies for overcoming common barriers to…

Recent procedural and management problems have clouded the benefits of British outdoor education centers. In surveys concerning two residential outdoor education centers, responses of teachers from 73 participating schools highlight the educational significance of outdoor education in such areas as personal and social development, environmental…