Kolb's experiential learning cycle is typically applied in short-term, episodic snapshots of time, while understating the implications of continual, longer-term learning. This fixed-frame, episodic usage may diminish the knowledge that learners bring into an educational experience and the continued shaping of knowledge through future experiences.…

The term "authentic" refers to the genuine, real, and true. Authentic learning involves exploring the world, asking questions, identifying information resources, discovering connections, examining multiple perspectives, discussing ideas, and making informed decisions that have a real impact. An authentic learning environment is engaging for…

Making errors can be a salutary learning experience. The problem in outdoor adventure education is to protect the error makers from real harm, which requires careful structuring of the learning situation. Discusses error limits, how much error correction is appropriate, involving participants in decision making, video playback and debriefing…

Children use creative thinking processes when teachers assign ambiguous rather than specific problems. Suggestions for developing questions that encourage experiential and metaphorical thinking are offered. (DF)

Rhythmic groups of cyclical movements--action cycles--were identified during interactions between adults and subjects (12 children, aged 8-18, and 6 young adults with profound mental handicap). Subjects performed similar actions for apparently similar reasons at similar rates to their caregivers, giving strong indication of a biologically robust…

Examines students' frequent failure to write meaningful essays in light of their inability to use personal experience as a basis for their writing. Compares the processes of writing and experiential learning. Suggests ways of transforming writing assignments into learning experiences. (DMM)

Considers nature of learning; significance of promoting learning rather than teaching; active nature of learning from experience; role of simulations and games in promoting learning; process of debriefing and its relationship to reflection; and teacher role. The Learning System, which relates general systems theory to process of learning, is…

The authors present an alternative model for training in organizational development (OD) which differs from other such models by being eclectic, inexpensive, and applicable to participants with varying degrees of experience. A design for a training laboratory is elaborated and related to theories about OD and about learning processes. (SK)

Use of manipulatives is neither a sufficient nor a necessary condition for meaningful learning. Provides some incidents in support of the argument. Lists 14 references. (YP)

Considers nature of debriefing, its central importance in experience-based learning, and its relationship to briefing, as well as debriefing's purposes, their relationship to different types of knowledge being processed, and various ways to organize the process. Suggestions to make the debriefing experience more effective are presented. (MBR)

A model measurement program is described in terms of stage of measurement, learning process, type of measurement, and grade level. Suggested activities are presented in activity card format. (SD)

A collection of seven essays about current topics involving social studies curriculum is presented in this document. "Priorities in the Social Studies" considers curriculum-related issues and social problems that need to be addressed. "The Student and the Psychology of Learning" suggests criteria that should be considered by teachers when…

Most organizations find it difficult to implement change, and only about 10 percent of learning from training and development experiences is actually applied in the workplace. This book advocates facilitation as a means of enhancing change and increasing productivity. Facilitation engages employees by enhancing the processes associated with their…

The Self-Knowledge Inventory of Lifelong Learning Strategies (SKILLS) was developed to measure adult learning strategies in real-life learning situations. SKILLS consists of a series of 12 scenarios from real-world situations that reflect Shirk's (1990) nine general categories of learning for real-life situations and that necessitate various types…

The issue of assessing adult learning prior to formal college level study is examined and presented in this handbook. The handbook offers guidelines for setting standards, provides a review of some of the proven techniques and practices that have been used to evaluate previous learning, addresses a series of issues relevant to particular subject…