This article relates how an English teacher in an urban high school described his efforts to listen and to perceive a seemingly disaffected student in his efforts to support her learning. He observed her responding to his efforts in positive and unexpected ways that involved her increased involvement in learning in his class. This teacher…

The principles of relationships, relevance, and rigor (the three R's) provide a framework for structuring conversations and initiatives in instructional practice (Wagner, 2002). Typically, this framework is applied to student learning. In this article, the authors apply the three R's to adult learning and highlight three small schools in order to…

In the present era of accountability, there is a real and justifiable temptation to use collaboration to focus strictly upon instrumental goals that have an immediate impact on classroom practices. However, without some time and reflection devoted to why teachers do what they do, a sustainable culture of collaboration is unlikely to emerge. Based…

Teaching that intentionally integrates cognitive learning with students' affective lives is the kind of pedagogy that can leave a long lasting, even transformative impression on students that outlives the details of course content. Because this author wants her students to truly engage with the subject of domestic violence, she finds it essential…

Social work programs that prepare students for culturally competent practice rely on the principle that cultural identity and differences are positive; and that social work services need to be delivered in ways which are culturally acceptable to clients and enhance their ethnic group participation and power. Cross-cultural experiences facilitate…

Due to mounting pressures to avoid offending individuals on the basis of demographic group membership, political correctness has begun to restrict student participation in our diversity courses. This restriction diminishes what can be learned from class dialogue, an important component of diversity instruction. This article offers a model of…

Unemployed adult students organized a conference that proved to be a transforming experience. They developed public speaking skills, confidence, and knowledge useful to participation in public debate on social issues. (SK)

Advocates an inquiry into the possibility of educational processes based on empirical knowledge. Discusses answers to the guiding question of how education is possible, advocating an orientation by psychology, by autopoietic, or evolutionary theories. Argues that these answers fail to achieve an independent and adaptable disciplinary perspective.…

Discusses intrinsic motivation and John Dewey's perspectives on aesthetic experiences in relation to "After 3" technology programs, based on experiences with KLICK (Kids Learning in Computer Klubhouses). Highlights include control and theories of motivation and learning; and Dewey's perspectives on the opposite of control in…

Provides brief descriptions of adult education from technological, psychological, ideological, and sociological perspectives. Author examines the psychological perspective, highlighting the work of Jack Mezirow (transformation theory), Roger Gould (seven-step adult development process), Patricia Cranton (Understanding and Promoting Transformative…

Presents a vision of evaluation that addresses the integration of intellectual and emotional dimensions. These points of integration are discussed: (1) building relationships of trust with pluralistic communities; (2) considering implications for the theory underlying framing evaluation problems; (3) designing interventions; (4) developing…

Describes a study of a computer mediated graduate course on inclusive community building that explored how students talked about sensitive cultural topics and how the online nature of the course influenced reflection on multiculturalism. Discusses transformative learning, which provided the analytical framework for the study. (Author/LRW)

A teacher's experience with an eight-year-old child named Aaron that pushes her understanding of language, literacy and culture to a different level is presented. This thrice-learned lesson details her professional journey of continual transformation by revisiting a story as a kindergarten teacher, a graduate student and a teacher educator.

This article is about the feelings of powerlessness that professionals feel to cure learning disability and to answer questions such as "why do I have a learning disability?". We describe how Emma showed us through role play what it was like to have learning difficulties. This article is interesting to people with learning disabilities because…

Adventure learning (AL) is a hybrid distance education approach that provides students with opportunities to explore real-world issues through authentic learning experiences within collaborative learning environments. This article defines this online distance education approach, outlines an AL framework, and showcases an AL archetype. In AL…