Educational institutions exist in reciprocal relations with broader social and moral ecologies. These ecologies involve interactions of networks of individuals and groups with wider aspects of culture, and are therefore broadly social, and they contain explicit or implicit content with regard to right and wrong, and are therefore moral. There is…

Video games are the digital entertainment resource most in demand by young people, which has led an increasing number of education experts to study their possible benefits. In particular, in this research, we set out to identify the potential of 'Papers, Please' to promote moral learning. Thus, we have tried to identify those objectives that go…

"Best behaviour" picturebooks, also known as "making good habits" or "teaching good manners" picturebooks, have explicit educational intentions that imply a culturally hegemonic voice. Despite this problematic characteristic, these picturebooks are welcomed by both parents and the market in China. Using extant…

Educators strive to support their students as they develop into well-rounded, productive members of society. The ability to act with respect and to work well with others may come somewhat naturally for some young children, while others may benefit from more direct exposure to character education programs. Using children's literature as a tool,…

This article explores the nature, strengths and limitations of Roman, Christian, Kantian and utilitarian ethics and their legacy in some modern theories of educative leadership that are educative in intent and outcome. It is shown that Roman, Christian, Kantian, and utilitarian ethics have profoundly shaped transformational, instructional,…

Robert McGrath (this issue) has proposed a useful way of bringing the field closer to a consensual definition of character education. We support much of his proposal. Like McGrath, we believe the goal of character education should be to increase the expression of qualities that benefit one's self and others. We also agree that character education…

Karl Popper's falsificationist epistemology that all knowledge advances through a process of conjectures and refutations carries profound implications for politics and education. In this article, I first argue that, on a political level, it is necessary to establish and maintain an open society by fostering not only five core values, viz. freedom,…

In this issue the authors have been asked to consider two sets of understandings about change and to comment on their implication for their educational goals and the methods they use to actualize these goals. The comments and suggestions from the author of this article grow out of his understanding of the purpose of K-12 education to promote…

Many school leaders seek new strategies from their colleagues and education literature on how to develop and sustain a positive school culture where students feel safe and are able to reach their greatest potential in academic achievement. Leadership books focus on strategies of building professional learning communities and developing capacity…

This study examined a six-month implementation of the Responsibility Model in a New Zealand secondary school. Data were collected through interviews, observations and student self-assessments. The implementation was found to be successful in developing positive, supportive and well-behaved classes in physical education. The majority of students…

This article builds on the foundations and evaluations laid recently by Symes and Gulson in their 2005 article, "Crucifying Education: The rise and rise of new Christian schooling in Australia." It evaluates the warrant of Christian schooling within a liberal democracy and offers a rejoinder for defending the rights of Christian…

Recommends broadening the scope of evaluation in moral education. Argues that past research has relied too heavily on indirect evidence (for example, gains in moral reasoning) rather than changes in behavior. Recommends further emphasis on the relationships among self-control, social control, and moral education. (MJP)

The focus of citizen education has traditionally been on the institution of government. Instead, citizenship education should emphasize the teaching of democratic behavior and values and the practice of prosociality. Prosocial behavior is defined as actions that are intended to aid another person without the actor's anticipation of external…

Presents several activities for elementary social studies instruction about laws. Encourages linking the abstract concepts, "laws," to the more familiar, "rules." Focuses on justice and fairness. Lists references for additional ideas on incorporating law-related activities into social studies curricula. Includes list of objectives, stressing the…

Argues that students must be readied to provide for their own needs and own self-wealth. Because self-wealth depends on a web of relationships with fellow humans and other species, students must also be readied to understand, maintain, and build common wealth. Ponders teaching students to value building positive futures for the communities to…