Describes the Workplace Literacy Project which teaches mathematics to remedial and special education secondary students through a combination of conceptual approaches and problem-solving exercises anchored in the students' world. The approach also incorporates the use of calculators and computer software such as spreadsheets. (DB)

Authentic learning consists of applying relevant knowledge, thinking skills, and interpersonal skills to solving real-world problems. Students assume roles of firsthand investigators, writers, artists, or other practitioners committed to producing a product or a service. A Connecticut high school's video-production company embodies a successful…

In a recent attempt to infuse her instructional design course at Penn State with the problem-based approach, the author began using real-world cases as the centerpiece for the class. This article describes the course requirements, how cases work, and probably pitfalls to this approach. Two sidebars include an Occupational Hearing Conservation…

Metaphors are guiding images that influence one's approach to problem solving. Experiential learning is a process of metaphor change; the task of educators is to facilitate development of new metaphors that generate new potential when old metaphors don't work. Discusses stages of metaphor development, creating an open learning space, and…

Examines the implementation of a situated-learning approach used in a nontraditional setting for an instructional technology course. Students were corporate employees taking the course at their workplace and using authentic work projects for learning. Research questions focused on blending business and academic goals and requirements, kinds of…

Presents five group problem-solving initiatives for use in adventure and experiential settings, focusing on conflict resolution, corporate workplace issues, or adjustment to change. Includes target group, group size, time and space needs, activity level, overview, goals, props, instructions, and suggestions for framing and debriefing the…

Given the psychometric limitations of existing measures of Kolb's experiential learning model (ELM), two new scales of learning styles have been developed. The validity of these scales has been supported in samples of undergraduate and MBA students in the USA. This paper provides evidence of some psychometric properties of scores yielded by these…

Educators are faced with developing performance indicators for reporting to state and national agencies on pre-service teacher candidates' ability to teach using innovative pedagogy as well as content- specific standards. Portfolio assessment has gained momentum as a standard in assessing student-learning outcomes. This paper is a discussion of…

This article describes a problem-based learning (PBL) project that incorporates active learning into an organizational behavior (OB) course. It describes a six-step process for designing a course around problems that students identify in their work, school, or personal lives. In addition to researching an OB concept to address their problem,…

Action learning is a process of learning and reflection that happens with the support of a group of colleagues ("set") working with real problems with the intention of getting things done. This guide is for those who want to practice action learning. It can be used to introduce the concepts of action learning to others and as a manual…

An activity-based unit on congruence and similarity is described. The themes underlying the unit are the usefulness of analogy in determining mathematical principles, and the notion that the number of conditions imposed on figures affects the number of factors which must be specified to insure congruence or similarity. (SD)

One challenge in today's society is to teach students how to solve problems and use the general education they acquire to arrive at realistic solutions. Techniques that cut across the curriculum and can be used by any university teacher to provide realistic experiences for students are discussed. Students need the same acquired skills in…

Hands-on mathematical activities are described for use with tricycles, Big Wheels, single-, and multigeared bicycles. (JT)

Over 50 phases and sub-steps common to decision-making processes are discussed in an effort to create a clearer view of individual, group, social, and political decision making. The discussion is intended to encourage social studies teachers to use an action-oriented approach to teaching decision-making skills. (Author/RM)