High School teachers from Idaho and Utah describe several experience-oriented teaching strategies that exemplify what teachers can produce when given support to undertake sustained curriculum development. (Author/JH)

The idea of this box of multimedia instructional materials is to surround the children with curious and wonderful objects and experiences which will stimulate them to self-expression. The kit provides a set of unusual objects: two movies about a rainshower, one from a weatherman's point of view and one as seen through the eyes of an artist; a set…

Discusses constructivist theory and its role in educational reform. Defines the theory as a focus on active rather than passive learning. Relates constructivism to the reflective inquiry approach to social studies. (CFR)

Describes a methodology for supporting exploratory learning that attempts to limit learning space, called exploration space, and adequately control the cognitive load learners would face in their exploration process. In Exploration Space Control (ESC) the extent of exploration space is controlled according to domain complexity, but also to…

Discusses the importance of questioning as a means of achieving independent intelligence, critical thinking, and learning to learn. Advocates a science program that encourages investigation, discovery, and questioning. (MA)

The teaching of mathematics as a science to elementary school children is promoted. Use of the scientific method in learning is presented as a form of experiential or discovery teaching. (MP)

Discusses the ways in which young children's minds can be engaged through play with a variety of manipulative objects and experiential activities in the day care environment. Such engagement encourages children's thinking and increases awareness and understanding of the world. (NH)

Open-ended learning environments (OELEs) provide contexts to support exploration, experimentation, and problem-solving. This paper creates a context for understanding the issues and challenges associated with the design and development of OELEs. Discussion first centers on characteristics of OELEs which differ from traditional learning…

The goal of this paper is to sketch the epistemological roots of constructivism, to clarify certain implications of Piaget's constructivist theory for science education, and to explicate the issues surrounding a specific research study and its replication. Constructivist epistemology is described in terms of its emergence from rationalist,…

Argues that children's perceptions of the natural world are linked with imagination development and experiential learning. Describes children's learning as sensory-oriented. Advocates fostering a love of nature, arguing that access to natural places and natural play activities both encourage a connection with the earth and contribute to children's…

This autobiographical essay depicts a process of development through which an elementary school teacher becomes both expert and professional. With an MA in Medieval History and no teacher education coursework, the writer adopts a personalistic, "unorthodox traditional" approach to instruction. Exposure to controversy among…