Large increases in productivity are typically realized as organization gain experience in production. Examined is evidence from several disciplines on organizational learning curves. Reasons why organizational learning rates vary are identified. (YP)

A review of research indicates that current beginning reading practices typically emphasize discrete skills that fail to take advantage of young children's emergent literacy abilities. Suggestions for strengthening the match between young children's emergent literacy and instructional experiences are offered. (RH)

Describes the Grow-a-Tree Project, which teaches Canadian elementary children the important role of trees in the environment. Students grow trees from seed and learn basic concepts of science and ecology. Last year more than 45,000 children took part in the program and planted over 950,000 seeds. (LP)

Discusses the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child as it seeks to establish the right of children to participate in discussions and decisions about their own situations. Includes action taken by children around the world to promote participation. Stresses the necessity of participation to become responsible, active citizens in a democracy.…

Discusses the nature of spirituality and the resources people use in responding to spirituality based on Robert Coles' book, "The Spiritual Life of Children." Answers questions as to how to use the camp experience to afford campers opportunities for spiritual growth while respecting the many expressions of spirituality in society. (LP)

Excerpts from students' writing illustrate the differences between Foxfire and other learning approaches and the dilemmas students face in Foxfire classes, including choices, decisions and responsibilities; developing new skills in a new process; participating in the democratic process; effectively working together; and nontraditional evaluations.…

Describes the development of an evolving art content framework for the Nebraska Prairie Visions Institute in Discipline-Based Art Education (DBAE) for in-service teachers. Provides examples of some of the learning experiences and suggests how the outcomes might be significant for other in-service programs in DBAE. (DSK)

Examines the argument that accelerated learning occurs in the presence of music. Summarizes animal and human research findings relating music exposure to enhanced learning, the role of introversion/extroversion on learning environment preferences, state-specific learning, the use of music to enhance second-language learning, and the impact of…

Analyzes the different notions of self-renewal as presented in the writings of Stanley Cavell and John Dewey. Describes both authors as employing an essentially Emersonian vision of the self in their efforts to reconcile self-realization with democratic life. States that the self is not a fixed entity, but is rather an activity and a means of…

Vignettes concerning the Writers in Electronic Residence program in Canadian high schools demonstrate that, rather than just being a "tool" in the service of production or efficiency, technology can affect the learning experience and the relationships among all members of the learning community, both in the local classroom and via…

States that various studies have revealed excellent recognition memory of pictures when participants are asked to remember what has been presented. Explores unpracticed memory for the English five pound bank note. States that results point to dramatic memory failure and to misrepresentations in memory. (CMK)

Views experiential learning as metaphor development. If a participant's enactment of a personal metaphor leads to an impasse during an adventure activity, this moment of "stuckness" is an opportunity to develop new images that generate new options for action. Facilitators must be sensitive to such situations and assist in widening…

Technology is influencing the evolution of adventure and outdoor education. Technology can negate adventure by dispelling the need of skill and mastery for attainment and by fostering a consumer mentality. Technology can enhance adventure by creating new experiences and suggesting that more is now possible. The challenge is to embody appropriate…

Discusses a collaboratively designed project where a group of artist-teachers created an installation quilt for a group exhibition that spurred their reflection on aesthetic issues and feminist pedagogy. Explains that these ideas are connected and may offer teachers interested in gender issues a view toward a listener-centered pedagogy and…

Attempts to extend the range of application of the emergent perspective to middle and high school classrooms. Identifies some practices rooted in such rich environments from which several sociomathematical norms stemmed. Concludes that sociomathematical norms do not rise from verbal interactions only but also from computer manipulations as…