Explores the problematic issues, deficits, and open questions that have received little attention in the discussion on self-controlled learning although they arise in both theory formation and research practice. Discusses perspectives for a further development of both theory and research practice and of the practice of self-directed learning in…

Describes the evolution of a young professional-development school, detailing challenges and successes the school has experienced thus far. The idea was to offer teachers a context for bridging theory and practice and provide additional resources and opportunities for ongoing collaboration and dialog. Trust and respect were essential ingredients.…

Introduces this issue's Arena Symposium, which contains revised versions of papers presented in a session at the annual conference of the Royal Geographical Society with the Institute of British Geographers (January 1999) that focus on reconciling the priorities and balances between research and teaching. (CMK)

Focuses on the ways in which teaching and research have been made compatible in the Department of Geography at the University of Durham (England), such as achieving balance between research, teaching, and administration, the use of research groups, and taking a long-term view in reconciling the demands of research and teaching. (CMK)

Presents letters, from Joseph Schwab to the author over the period 1979-1982, that focus on liberal education, the theory practice relationship, and writing history of the English Sixth Form (grades 11 and 12). Suggests that the idea of 'orality' provides an important key to Schwab's philosophy of action. (CMK)

Investigated how a mathematics pedagogy course challenged teaching assistants' (TAs') beliefs about the teaching and learning of mathematics and informed their teaching practice. Found that TAs adopted a different set of beliefs about the teaching and learning of mathematics and that several constraints (institutional, cultural, a lack of…

Argues for the inclusion of ideas specific to urban environments in education reform efforts. Discusses issues such as equality, social and environmental justice, and civil rights. (DDR)

Most states do not have the time or resources to develop environmental education standards from scratch. Highlights the role that environmental education and its interdisciplinary nature can play in helping students achieve. (DDR)

Surveyed Montessori preprimary teachers concerning attitudes toward pretend play in the classroom. Found mixed feelings among teachers toward pretend play. By a margin of 2 to 1, teachers were dissatisfied with the training they had received regarding the role of children's play in Montessori settings. (KB)

This article presents the goals, philosophy, and theory of the Direct Instruction model. The theory stresses the learning of generalizations with multiple examples through a highly structured curriculum. Connections between theory and practice are illustrated with a variety of examples of thinking operations from Direct Instruction programs.…

Provides an overview of issues in the literacy policy field from a social practices perspective. Outlines a central dilemma in both theory and practice in adult literacy work: that practice theory has not impacted on literacy policy in large parts of the world. Suggests there is an ever-widening gap between literacies of everyday life and the…

This article argues that the changing nature of the dissertation experience, and its associated supervision, calls for more detailed attention to the development of dissertation supervisors. Dissertations have always played a major role in student learning. The following themes constitute the kernel of the article the role of the dissertation in…

This article explores the nature of a continuing mismatch between curriculum reform rhetoric in science education and actual classroom practice. Lack of philosophical consensus about the nature of science (NOS); lack of appropriate curriculum guidance, classroom materials and pedagogical content knowledge for NOS teaching; teachers' personal…

Knowledge translation articulates how new scientific insights can be implemented efficiently into clinical practice to reap maximal health benefits. Modern information and communication technologies can be effective tools to help in the collection, processing, and targeted distribution of information from which clinicians, researchers,…

We discuss the "know-do gap," present a definition of knowledge translation, and discuss its relative importance in bridging the know-do gap. Some of the underlying causes of the know-do gap are listed, along with ongoing efforts to address them. Knowledge translation is considered a cross-cutting, nonlinear process that involves not only recent…