In the current global push to examine the diverse and complex approach in which classroom culture contributes to the shaping of students' learning cultural identity. Classroom culture plays a fundamental role in constructing students' learning competencies, perceptions and behaviors. Thus, this study conceptualizes and contextualizes a collective…

Students of color, first-generation, and residents of communities experiencing disinvestment--who aspire to obtain meaningful postsecondary degrees, career success, financial security, and social mobility--face tremendous challenges in navigating science, technology, engineering, math, and health science (STEM-H) education and career sectors. The…

Franklin Vernon provided an example of how programs viewing themselves as "cultural islands" are in fact embedded within historical capitalist relations, through the discourses of "self" that they promote. In this response, I expand on Vernon's argument to situate the quasi-therapeutic practices he identified in the history of…

The article is aimed at analysing the qualitative interviews (in the form of short life stories) carried out within the Learning and Career Paths (LCP) project in Italy. Theories, such as those of reflexivity, agency, self-construction, competencies, and transformation put forward by relevant authors in the sociological and educational field, are…

Narrative learning is strongly allied with transformational learning and adult development (Merriam, Caffarella, & Baumgartner, 2007), given that it creates context for adult meaning making. Through the use of narrative writing, adult students have the opportunity to engage multiple aspects of learning. Many colleges and universities allow…

Two theories guide two very different ideas about learning. Social cognitive theory (Bandura, 1977, 1989) places the greater emphasis on observational learning, or learning by watching a model produce a behavior before doing it oneself. Other researchers purport that experiential learning, or learning by doing, results in stronger learning (Kolb,…

School counseling programs must provide counselors-in-training with effective and multifaceted leadership skill-building opportunities (Brott, 2006; DeVoss & Andrews, 2006; Dollarhide, Gibson, & Saginak, 2008; Kaffenberger & Murphy, 2007). The Girls' Leadership Experience Camp (GLEC) was created by the authors to enhance the leadership abilities…

People involved in adventurous activities frequently experience positive phenomena termed peak experience, peak performance, and "flow." Characteristics of these phenomena are compared, along with factors influencing the ability to experience such peak moments. Csikszentmihalyi's flow models are examined with regard to perceived levels…

Presents a model for facilitators of adventure-education group initiatives, group problem-solving tasks requiring cooperation and trust. Discusses initial observation and assessment of individual and group behaviors, setting objectives, preparation, group orientation, structuring the task toward objectives, implementation, guided reflection,…

Reviews principles of rational behavior therapy. Presents model for changing the way one feels by changing the way one thinks for use by experiential educators during rockcraft, caving, or high ropes course briefings/debriefings to teach students to think rationally, feel more positive about themselves, and take responsibility for their lives.…

A model to explain the adventure experience and to relate adventure experience to adventure education uses risk and competence as diagram axes with experimentation/exploration, adventure, peak adventure, misadventure, and disaster/devastation completing the framework. The model assumes that peak adventure, the point at which personal competence…

Outlines a conceptual framework for understanding individual development related to intercultural competence and prejudice reduction. Presents a model of identity formation encompassing physical, academic, social, and cultural/spiritual self. Suggests that dialog and reflection, two essential components of intrapersonal and interpersonal…

Ideally, competency assessment is an approach that evaluates performance, judges ability, measures what can be demonstrated, evaluates active participation, and helps us know if the professional can make a positive impact on clients. Models are presented from an inservice training program at Antioch's Institute of Open Education in Cambridge,…

Describes the five presuppositions regarding the nature of career choice and of student/teacher and student/counselor relationships which guide the off-campus learning program at Harvard College. Explains the eight-level vertical matrix model on which the program is based. (SB)

This report discusses key components of the Wilderness Personal Growth Model that was designed to help practitioners attain maximum benefits through short-term wilderness programs accommodating large groups of students. The first component involves the successful transition of the students from their known and accepted everyday-life reality to the…