In this activity, students experiment and observe the similarities and differences between human-made objects and nature in small groups. Students compare the function and structure of hollow bones with drinking straws, bird beaks and tool pliers, and bat wings and airplane wings. A classroom discussion can be held to discuss similarities and…

Towers have been a part of developing society for centuries. In this activity, students investigate towers that serve a variety of purposes. Student groups build three types of towers, engineering them to hold an egg one foot high for 15 seconds. This activity requires a 60-minute time period for completion. (Author/SOE)

In this activity, students learn about composite materials, tension as a force, and how they act on structural components through the design and testing of a strip of plastic chair webbing. This activity requires a 60-minute time period for completion. (Author/NB)

In this book, a working model for leadership development is presented, resulting from groundbreaking work with learning communities in educational leadership preparation programs. Chapter 1 develops the concept of a learning community as both a structure for the delivery of course content (the product) and a laboratory for promoting collaborative…

This paper describes one university's efforts to bring real-world learning experiences to educational administration students. A joint departmental interaction in training future teachers and administrators led to the design of common experiences that would benefit both student populations. In an Analysis of Teacher Behaviors course, graduate…

This paper lists 86 specific teaching methods for outdoor educators in the areas of content, technique, and group management. The methods were gleaned from a 30-day river instructor course conducted by the National Outdoor Leadership School. Relevant content is the heart of learning. Careful selection and coverage of topics during a course will…

Action learning is receiving increasing attention from human resource development (HRD) practitioners and the HRD management literature. Action learning has been characterized as follows: (1) working in small groups to take action on meaningful problems while seeking to learn from having taken the specified action lies at the foundation of action…

Marsick and Watkins, leaders in research on informal learning in the workplace, suggest that this type of learning is a process that occurs in everyday experience and place it in a category that includes incidental learning. It may occur in institutions, but is not typically classroom-based or highly structured. It is unique to the individual, and…

This monograph describes how to conduct simulations that allow individuals to experience what it is like to have deafblindness. It begins by discussing the philosophy and benefits of simulations and explains the two different types of simulations. The first type of simulation gives a generic overview of the impact of deafblindness on learning and…

This paper describes the positive results of service learning at Kapiolani Community College (Hawaii) and demonstrates that service learning is an effective way of transforming the instructor as a learner and participant with the student, not only academically but also in the development of a more enlightened citizenry. A review of the literature…

Research on group learning has focused almost exclusively on interactions among individuals within groups; there has been little research on phenomena occurring between groups of learners in classrooms. This exploratory study identifies, describes, and categorizes events occurring between members of different learning groups in three ninth-grade…

The skills needed to do well in life are different from the skills needed to do well in school. Bringing the skills needed for life and work into the curriculum and pedagogy of high schools is one of the major challenges of this era of school reform. Drawing on examples of effective teaching and learning, this book addresses the question of how…

Although there is a lack of research regarding the impact of ropes courses on student development, this paper states that there is significant information on this experiential learning experience contributing to student retention. It describes research designed to study how an experiential ropes course can impact undergraduate male and female (18…

This resource guide compiles research studies and papers about women in experiential education and recreation in the natural environment. This guide focuses on adventure-based activities and physical recreation in the outdoors; therefore, information regarding women in forestry, natural resources, and ecofeminism has not been included. With the…

This study examined the career decisions of 54 high school students who participated in the Research Apprenticeship Program (RAP) at Ohio State University during 1990-92. RAP is a precollege program which aims to provide meaningful experiences in various aspects of health-related research for minority high school students and teachers. RAP…