The author, chairman of the Department of Sociology and Social Work at Casper College in Casper, Wyoming, examines how the proportion of students who participate in schooling as a real--as opposed to a virtual--undertaking has shrunk through the growth of online courses. This situation could be a tragedy or it could be acceptable. At the moment,…

This position paper on student engagement is organized in response to major questions on how student engagement aligns with dropout prevention. Through a set of questions and responses, the "Weaving Student Engagement Into the Core Practices of Schools" position paper on student engagement : (1) defines the term "student…

This article examines standards which would define a teacher who is good enough to teach children. A good teacher should understand the development of learners. To ensure inclusive learning environments, the teacher should use understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures. The teacher should also collaborate with others to develop…

In this rejoinder to Mazoue ("J Comput High Educ," 2012) article, "the deconstructed campus," we react to his arguments regarding the replacement of face-to-face teaching on college campuses with computer-supported approaches, including on-line learning, intelligent cognitive tutors, and open-ended learning environments where, rather than being…

Luis J. Rodriguez believes that the spirit of learning is not nurtured or encouraged in schools because the spirit of teaching is absent. Learning is not just about books but it happens in all kind of ways that should be nurtured with spirit.

In their search for more communal forms of agency that might guide education, contemporary educational psychologists have mostly neglected the theorizing of George Herbert Mead. In this essay, Jack Martin aims to remedy such oversight by interpreting Mead's social-psychological and educational theorizing of selfhood and agency through the lenses…

Presents responses of Arthur W. Chickering to a series of questions about his publication "Education and Identity." Chickering reflects on his original and current thoughts and feelings about the book and the role of student affairs and higher education in student development. (JAC)

The theme of growth is amongst the most important and pervasive themes in the philosophy of Charles Peirce. This paper offers a synthesized account of the Peircean self drawn from his various discussions of the growth of ideas and then presents three educational orientations which, in turn, tend to foster or frustrate this growth. It concludes…

Noting that gay, lesbian, and bisexual students often first acknowledge their sexual orientation in college, this article suggests ways that faculty can foster student learning by taking an active role in creating a welcoming and inclusive learning environment for these students. (Author/DB)

Addresses the problems of how moral character is developed and what moral character consists of. Emphasizes the development of democratic, ethical dispositions and focuses on two features of an educational environment that are especially important: respect for students as persons and the democratic organization of the groups in which the young…

Although helping students achieve academically is a major goal of public education, children come to school with a wide variety of needs and therefore should be treated as whole people rather than as detached receptacles for academic knowledge. A critical issue is the departure of adults from children's lives. What can schools do to promote a more…

Analyses the effects of the social and academic environments at White campuses on Black students' persistance toward graduation and personal development. Offers several recommendations to facilitate greater acceptance and success of Blacks at predominantly White institutions. (APM)

Few descriptions of the graduate school experience are taken from the viewpint of the graduate student. The comments and real life experiences presented in this paper are not intended to dissuade potential students but to promote a serious discussion about the role and expectation of the graduate student. The paper opens by sharing thoughts on…

Discusses several problems confronting education in the United States, argues that music educators are among the most guilty of avoiding and even discouraging creative thinking. Presents a model of creative thinking in music and examines the conditions of motivation and environment that are important for child development. (GEA)

This digest argues that whole language theorists and adult education theorists have much in common, much to say to one another, and much to learn from one another. The digest first defines and discusses "whole language," then defines and discusses "andragogy," (the learning of adults) and finally asks educators to recognize…