Describes how a discussion of "The Diary of Anne Frank" moved a class to intense discussion. Discusses how the books, and stories, and poems are invitations to a passionate engagement with human experience. Considers literature as the invitation to a dialogue, to intellectual inquiry, to tell one's own story, to participate in a society and the…

Studied the learning outcomes experienced by 24 alumni of a higher education/student affairs program through interviews with the students and some faculty and support staff members. Students experienced the thesis process in eight identifiable stages, and four areas of growth were identified: personal development, skills development, content…

Narratives of six women in counselor training courses identified their learning strategies and management of the personal/professional divide. Professionalism was about self-acceptance as well as qualifications and practice. As they struggled to integrate learning and family, others seemed to view their lifelong learning as a diversion rather than…

A study of self-esteem found no strong evidence that self-esteem is a good thing in its own right or can lead to other benefits. Self-esteem was strongly related to locus of control, self-efficacy, and a general positive attitude but relatively immune to change. Implications for outdoor education programming are discussed. (TD)

Suggests that to meet the substantial challenges of organizational change, college and university planners must first learn to reflect on their own personal and professional roles and behavior, seek information about how others assess their actions, build an action plan to sustain integrity and focus, and remedy dysfunctional habits. (MSE)

Focus-group interviews with 52 camp counselors examined their experiences as camp staff. Positive outcomes included important relationships with campers and other staff; appreciation of diversity; teamwork; group cohesion; leadership and responsibilities; and technical, interpersonal, and administrative skills development. Problems included…

Treatment of sexually abusive youth was initially patterned after treatment of adult sex offenders. Article discusses the important differences in understanding the developmental progression and in treatment approaches that have evolved. Supports developmental perspective for treatment of youth which views abusive sexuality as evidence of deviant…

Notes that research is confirming that much of what makes a person unique is the result of experiences in the first three years of life. Notes the long-term effects of inadequate nurturing, the role of extended family, and the challenges for parents, educators, and policymakers posed by these research findings. (HTH)

Discusses a method of adolescent pregnancy intervention that addresses the developmental needs of the adolescents. The previewing process alerts the mother to the imminent developmental trends that her infant will soon be undergoing. Adolescent mothers can also learn how to preview their own maturational changes. (GCP)

Describes the author's experiences in a graduate class (taught by educational philosopher Maxine Greene) reading American literature and, via Greene's few but significant questions and challenges, coming to a fuller appreciation of herself as an educator and a person. Draws from that experience several guiding principles about the professional…

What is racism? A thematic analysis of seventeen narrative accounts in this issue of personal experiences with racism is reported. Specific themes are discussed within conceptual categories of systematic oppression, grieving, awakening of critical consciousness, coping mechanisms, and power. Racism is deconstructed through these stories; new paths…

Notes two major components of self-esteem--a feeling of intrinsic worth, and a sense of being capable of handling life's challenges--and their role as the foundation of children's future success and happiness. Details parent interaction skills that will help establish a strong base for self-esteem, including: showing unconditional love,…

Describes an online course in which graduate students collaboratively investigated and shared personal experiences with respect to adult development. Topics include naturalistic inquiry that was used to identify issues that characterized course dynamics; adult education; flexibility of course; co-construction of meaning; and the expression of…

Explores the relationships between young people's identity construction and the concept of citizenship in the United Kingdom. Considers how young people's need for space, and their emergent sense of place, are aspects of a citizenship identity that young people learn, work at, and negotiate in their leisure time. (CMK)

Examined the development of seven infants with "missing milestones" in motor development. Found that three children had normal development, three developed global developmental delay, and one was diagnosed with multiple cavernous haemangiomata in the brain. Suggested that missing milestones can be a benign variation of normal motor…