A study of two classes of eighth-grade science students taught by the same teacher investigated student perceptions of learning environment, achievement levels, and conceptual understanding of research. Found relationships between autonomy and student-centeredness scales and post-testing. Features three student case studies, underscoring the…

Describes four spaces of network learning models which are designed to integrate the Internet into education. Topics include learning technology; network learning environments; project-based learning; community-based learning; learner location; including distance learning; teacher-centered versus student-centered; interaction, including…

Examines the role of discussion groups in a case-based environment. College students completed two cases individually or in small discussion groups. Overall, participants in groups liked their method significantly better than those who worked alone, felt they learned more working in a group than they would have working alone, and expressed a…

British students at all levels are under increasing pressure to perform with respect to targets and objectives in which they have no say. The push to meet government-imposed educational standards has made school more undemocratic than ever. Outdoor education provides students the experience of making choices and facing the consequences, a way to…

Describes the process of implementation of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement's Performance Accreditation Framework and School Improvement Process at Holgarth Middle School (South Dakota). Includes sections on essence of goals, assessment of program, interventions and strategies, selection of peer…

Addresses the issue of substitute teacher shortages in Ohio schools. Describes three studies conducted to determine the availability of substitute teachers and the impact of shortages. Poses solutions, including hiring more permanent substitutes, rescheduling teacher meetings to work around substitute availability, and increasing substitute…

There is little doubt that due to major advances in information technology, education will certainly become more technology-based. The purpose of this paper is to: (1) consider the models of contemporary universities offering distance programs; (2) analyze how technology changes the model of learning; and (3) explore how the human dimension will…

A mother (Linda) and daughter (Katie) tried a cooperative "unschool," public school, home schooling, private school, and returned to unschooling. Linda feels that public school compromises creativity and freedom too much, but she had trouble letting go of the structure. Katie says unschooling let her enjoy her relationship with her mother, focus…

Comments on the two previous articles (EC 628 520-521) support the studies' explorations of how at-risk students' and teachers' thinking help define the educational environment; raise questions about the possible complicating of unreported factors of race, class, and gender; and suggest that qualitative studies are needed to complement…

In a study of 696 learners, the authors found that stress associated with challenges in the learning environment had a positive relationship with learning performance and that stress associated with hindrances in the learning environment had a negative relationship with learning performance. They also found evidence suggesting that these…

A talented child's motivation and artistic gift can suffer when the environment at home and at school are inadequately supportive. It's crucial, therefore, for parents and teachers to understand that any child's involvement in the arts can enhance overall success in academics and in later life. It's just as important to learn about the many ways…

School library literature has illuminated several structural barriers (such as lack of time and role perception conflict) that impede many school library media specialists (SLMSs) from fulfilling their student assessment role in practice, and specialists have identified technology as a mediating artifact that could aide in an expansion of that…

This study examined the concept of relational aggression and its application to high-risk girls in treatment. Sixteen male practitioners from 9 different agencies serving young people were interviewed about their feelings and perceptions in working with female clients. The survey presents selected examples of manifestations of relational…

Building on the framework of Peters and Armstrong's (1998) three Types of Teaching/Learning, this article explores the use of dialogue to foster a collaborative and democratic learning experience. There are three conditions under which dialogue can be facilitated as a part of the collaborative learning experience: (a) intent, (b) a dialogical…

Understanding diversity in classrooms is becoming more and more politically relevant and complex, at least in Europe and the United States. The reasons for this include the variable school achievement levels among students of different (ethnic) groups, the growing demographic disparity in background between the teachers and their students, and the…