Describes the "Nordic model" of small-scale, child-centered, equal education found in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland. Discusses challenges to this model from growing unemployment, increasing institutionalization of children's lives, and economic integration with the rest of Europe. Outlines Nordic hopes for future European…

Presents an interview with Linda Darling-Hammond, codirector of the National Center for Restructuring Education, Schools, and Teaching (NCREST). Topics discussed include educational reform; the role of technology in redesigning schools; reducing school size; teacher training; alternative assessment methods; curriculum changes; barriers to school…

A Foxfire teacher confronts her skepticism of education before interviewing Maxine Greene, author of the book, "The Dialectic of Freedom." Greene, who is optimistic about education and its role in promoting personal freedom, discusses schools in a changing society, educational reform, critical thinking, the importance of the arts in…

Project Adventure's adventure-based counseling text, "Islands of Healing," uses language and simplistic conceptions of individualism and community to create an ecology of ideas. In this framework, moral and social complexities of modern life are exchanged for an artificial cyberspace-like microworld where unthinking acquiescence to group…

The knowledge and abilities necessary for reflective and able adult literacy teaching are discussed. Focus is on whether there are common theoretical underpinnings in the adult basic education (ABE) and teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) fields, and a comparison of ABE and TESOL field practices. (nine references) (LB)

The executive director of the Council for Exceptional Children discusses the importance of collaborative action to achieve common goals, applies these principles to special education, and describes a collaborative effort with nine other national associations to identify and promote good practice principles for the planning and operation of…

Preservice teacher candidates changed their thinking about mathematics, mathematics teaching, and children's mathematics learning after completing a mathematics methods course that promoted a nontraditional approach, which focused on teaching mathematics from a student-centered viewpoint. (20 references) (IAH)

The effective schools movement, explored by P. Coleman and L. LaRoque, has not brought about meaningful change in education because advocates assume that there are norms and values on which all can agree. It is argued that these themes are at odds with the real world. (SLD)

The purpose of education through the ages has been to open up paths to freedom, yet the educational community has embraced technology--specifically computer technology--as the definitive and only mandate for teaching and learning as a result of emphasis on technique. Compares computer technology to a totalitarian regime which controls rather than…

Argues that people and technology are inseparable and exert reciprocal control. Argues that teachers will not be able to halt the spreading influence of technology in education or in their lives, but should understand the dangers and be ready to confront them. Maintains that the human heart of education must be kept alive no matter how heartless…

This interview with Dr. Candace Bos, a professor of special education at the University of Arizona, discusses the need for informed, flexible teaching when working with students with learning disabilities, and the importance of addressing phonological awareness, decoding and fluency, comprehension, and content area reading. (CR)

A model identified by educator Jack Miller identifies three dominant approaches to teaching: transmission (student as passive recipient of knowledge), transaction (student-centered active learning), and transformation (promoting personal growth and social change). While most current environmental-education theory and practice corresponds with the…

Observes that immortality remains an important animating ideal for teaching and learning, despite being long neglected as theological or egoistic. Makes the case that the role of immortality in pedagogy has a long history in Western thought. Argues that individuals should recognize and address ways that longing for immortality shapes educators'…

Describes how Problem-Based Learning (PBL) was adapted for use in social studies teacher education. Reviews the background of PBL as used in professional faculties, and offers curricular justification for its use. Examines difficulties experienced in adapting PBL to teacher education, taking into account perspectives from prospective teachers and…

Asks what relevance the liberal tradition has for post-compulsory education in the contemporary United Kingdom. Explores critiques of the liberal tradition and finds them wanting. Argues that the underpinning values of liberalism, empowerment, and democracy have potential as a framework for developing an accessible post-compulsory system. (DSK)