Traces the development of peace-oriented experiential philosophy in both its Western and Soviet contexts, suggesting that adventure-based citizen diplomacy is a valuable means to build bridges between them. Adventure Based Citizen Diplomacy projects are working to decrease the cultural, sociopolitical, and psychological barriers that remain in the…

Traditionally, environmental education has been taught from a technocratic rationality, marked by a dominant and almost blind faith in the capacities and qualities of science rather than considering political and sociological factors. Describes international projects that are community based and action oriented and that incorporate aspects of…

"Exploring Career Options in Engineering and Science" at the Stevens Institute of Technology (New Jersey) introduces talented female students (entering grade 11 or 12) from all over the country to engineering and science in a 2-week residential program involving hands-on laboratory work; on-site visits and seminars; and student research.…

Definitions for the terms open-ended, problem solving, and investigations are considered. The interaction between these terms and teaching styles are discussed. Student influences over the learning process in this type of investigation are examined. (CW)

Describes the experiences of a kindergarten class that conducted an extensive outdoor vegetable gardening project with the help of parent volunteers. The article presents seven steps to assist PTAs in establishing such a project and notes the value of school gardens in developing student skills. (SM)

The American Indian teaching tale "Jumping Mouse" is used to illustrate how storytelling can provide a learning experience--the listener's active participation in the storytelling process through emotional engagement and creative imagination, and the resulting change in perspective and clarification of values. (SV)

Shows how Waldorf methodology, an approach advocating learning as a cooperative venture and nurturing the creative and the artistic, helped a fourth grade teacher inspire a normally uncooperative class to learn fractions. A story involving a young farmer struggling to feed his horses properly was used and accompanied by the children's own…

Discusses how grocery shopping activities can help primary and intermediate grade students develop mathematics skills useful in real life. (BB)

Sixty young children estimated their performance in beanbag throwing. In the three prediction conditions, subjects articulated the differences between their performance and their predictions, only observed the difference, or were unable to observe their performance. Results indicated subjects were aware of differences between performance and…

Promotes the experiential learning benefits of outdoor education. Describes the experiences of students in grades 4-6 who planned, raised funds for, and participated in a field trip that included a visit to the New England Aquarium, a whale watch cruise, and camping on Cape Cod during a tropical storm. (LP)

Outdoor educators in training engaged in a mask-making activity involving partners. One person made the mask and the other provided his or her face as the mold. The anxiety-provoking experience invited an intimate exchange between partners around issues of intimacy, trust, and compassion. (KS)

Asserts that field experiences cannot be replaced by a textbook or a computer program and discusses why field trips at the college level are in decline. (PR)

Examined the effectiveness of experienced-based versus other experiential learning. First graders participated in experience-dictation, experience-debriefing, or debriefing-only groups. Pre- and posttesting probed students' understanding of 10 basic economic concepts and use of cost-benefit analysis in decision making. Findings supported the…

Presents a program for elementary teachers to learn how to use hand tools and household appliances to teach the principles of physics. The lesson helps teachers become familiar with simple hand tools, combat the apprehension of mechanical devices, and develop an interest in tools and technology. Session involves disassembling appliances to…

Offers a framework for approaching evaluation of practical experience, specifically in the field of elementary school teacher education, arguing that such evaluation should be longitudinal, contextualized, and collaborative. Portfolio development is found to be a powerful tool in this process, and both a rubric and criteria for assessing…