Describes the need and prospects for alternative assessment approaches in online learning environments in higher education. Explains the difference between assessment and evaluation and discusses three approaches to integrating alternative assessment approaches into online learning environments: cognitive assessment, performance assessment, and…

An independent school in Encino, California, studied the concept of neoplasticity (lifelong brain reorganization processes) and started using more technology in classrooms. Brain-based programs require a rich learning environment, thematic instruction, integrated curricula, musical stimulation, multiple intelligences, and multisensory specialized…

To create beneficial learning environments, it is necessary to make thoughtful, purposeful decisions about how diversity adds to the educational missions of universities, first defining why race matters at all. The paper examines misconceptions that fuel the momentum against affirmative action, discusses the benefits of diversity, and explains how…

Forty Australian physical education student teachers participated in a weekend adventure education course that placed them outside their comfort zones and made them understand how less confident, lower-skilled students feel in physical education classes. Reflective writing exercises revealed participants' awareness of supportive environment, peer…

Discusses recent thinking about broad technological change and examines disturbing implications in the context of students at risk of school failure and school reform. Makes recommendations on teacher training and technology use. (Author)

Examines the historical contributions of women's colleges and their role in providing access to higher education for women, exploring contemporary contributions toward educational equity for women, particularly in the areas of positive role modeling and mentoring, leadership, achievement in male-dominated major fields such as mathematics and…

Presents an architecture of an intelligent system to support learning that is able to address the issues that arise from constructivist theories of learning in a way that, rather than opposing to the standard intelligent tutoring system architecture, characterizes a broader view in all its components which can be appropriately attuned to address…

Interviews with African-American adult students at four universities and four community colleges showed that past and current collegiate experiences and personal supports create congruence or lack of congruence between students and college cultures. Fragile and intermittent involvement, limited learning engagement, and cultural dissonance were…

Examined sixth grader's views on the usefulness of learning activities, drawing on Dewey's theoretical formulations. Student-identified activities that either facilitated or did not facilitate learning suggested the components of these activities that may be most salient to students at this age and underlined the difficulty of identifying…

Reviews current literature--noting limitations--and provides observations regarding the impact on learning of six physical attributes of the Montessori prepared environment: aesthetics, spatial factors, light, noise, color, and temperature. Suggests guidelines for Montessori classrooms. Concludes by asserting that considering these six…

A model of facilitating outdoor adventure groups that include people with and without disabilities is presented. Steps include developing a resource base, addressing personal attitudes and using appropriate language, obtaining information specific to client disabilities, designing individualized adaptations, implementing the program, and…

Several architects, planners, administrators, and contractors answer questions about trends related to school construction, interior design, business, security, and technology. Trends concern funding issues, specialized designs, planning for safety, technological integration, and equity in services. (EV)

Examines the issue of accessibility in online learning environments (OLEs). Presents characteristics of "differently-abled" learners. Examines accessible and inaccessible elements of the learning environment. Presents relatively quick and simple usability testing techniques. Explores reasons why developers and providers should be concerned with…

Discusses the World Wide Web as a transformative medium and considers future possibilities. Highlights include ideas that 15-year-olds had for future working and learning environments; how youth learn having grown up in a digital environments; lifelong learning; multitasking; new ideas of literacy relating to information and navigation; sharing…

Discusses criteria for good assessment practices derived from research-based models in cognitive psychology and expert-novice studies. Describes an assessment system for a problem-based curriculum in economics and business administration at the University of Maastricht (Netherlands), reports on a study of improving assessment practices, and…