To determine what a theory of adult learning should encompass, three topics were considered: current status of adult learning theory, contributions of the developmentalists, and foundation for a total person model of adult learning theory. An overview of activity related to theory building in adult learning during the 1970s showed the emphasis…

The article briefly describes the life of William James, nineteenth-century philosopher and psychologist, noting the development of his pragmatist philosophy. The article uses James' work and ideas to support 11 principles of contemporary experience-based education. (SB)

Compares action technologies on eight dimensions: purpose, primary focus, theoretical foundations, ideological focus, key strategies, facilitator role, research aim, and validity criteria. The technologies are action learning, action research, action science, popular education, participatory action research, and collaborative inquiry. (SK)

Presents evidence that high-quality early childhood programs can partially offset negative effects of childhood poverty and produce modest but definite benefits in children's education and early adult socioeconomic experience. Contrasts different types of early childhood programs and favors those focusing on child-initiated learning. (RH)

Two generally unexamined premises about education that have contributed to recent disappointment in the outcomes of education are examined: (1) that learning is always pleasurable; and (2) that no difference exists between formal and experiential learning. (MSE)

This paper examines similarities between the goals of Aikido, a martial art, and critical thinking and argues that Aikido promotes the development of thinking in its training and practice. It applies these ideas to the gifted education curriculum. First the paper introduces characteristics of Aikido, Aikido movement and techniques. It equates…

In order to give direction to his career and specifically to his remaining year of law school, the author, a law student at Emory University, interrupted his schooling to spend a year in self-selected legal clerkships. His experiences and a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of such a program are presented. (JMD)

Discusses reasons for lack of outdoor education programs in Japan. Emphasizes importance of establishing outdoor education to recover traditional Japanese appreciation of nature. Examines Occidental and Oriental views of nature. Describes an innovative outdoor education program in Japan based on rice cultivation. (LFL)

Defines five aspects of experiential education. Explains three perspectives of the future, those of the extrapolationist, the transitionist, and the transformationist. Notes implications of the work of Alvin Toffler, Elliot Seif, John Naisbitt, Willis Harman, Harold Shane, and others on the future of education. (SB)

Examination of the workplace as a learning environment reveals it is far from ideal and poses unique challenges to the practicum supervisor, especially when that role is assumed by a workplace supervisor. Specific interests of student and employee may not coincide, and the interests of both diverge from those of organizations and owners. (MSE)

Management education is struggling with two distinct approaches: an objective approach, the professional education model, which emphasizes theory, academic assessment, breadth of subject matter, and technical problem-solving; and an interpretive approach, action learning, which values practice, managerial assessment, depth of subject matter, and…

This monograph contains 14 papers on the role of higher education in the developing world stimulated by discussion of that issue in "Higher Education: The Lessons of Experience" (World Bank, 1994). The first two papers offer background on the World Bank paper: "World Bank Traditions of Support to Higher Education and…

Examines general education and vocational education as the main foci of post-compulsory education in the light of curriculum planning. Perspectives (academic, pragmatic, and polytechnical) on general education are shown to be rooted in more elaborately formulated theories than are perspectives (employment-based and school-based) on vocational…

Youth development lies at the heart of the Workforce Investment Act and the Youth Opportunity Movement. Like employment training programs for adults, employment training programs for youth should focus on acquisition of skills, gainful employment, and productive citizenship. Beyond these three characteristics, it is essential that programs for…