Outdoor education programs help students realize their "wild" nature by linking them concretely with their surroundings, providing stories that explain the natural world, encouraging feelings of wonder, and expanding identification with nature as parts of the world, previously perceived as "outside," become part of the self.…

Describes a study that examined decisions made by secondary school students as they completed an assignment that required them to seek and use information. Results indicated that a learning experience is composed of a variety of intertwined "learning strands." Educators should recognize that learning on one strand can support learning on…

Students in a graduate social work course on cultural diversity and societal oppression kept a journal during the course and completed questionnaires one year later. Analysis of journal entries and questionnaire responses focused on student self-image and social identity, the process of attitude change and increasing awareness, and influences on…

The value of certain nonschool experiences is demonstrated in the University of California-Berkeley's summer Academic Talent Development Program (ATDP), which supplements school experiences by inviting adolescents into academic communities. The paper describes ATDP, arguing for a less school-centered vocabulary that will enrich the available…

Investigated the task performance of laboratory work groups whose members were trained together or alone. Group members trained together recalled more about assembly procedures and produced better-quality radios than groups whose members were trained alone. Group training improved group performance by enhancing transactive memory systems among…

Researchers assessed grading practices in college personal health (PH) courses, examining students' PH grades and comparing them with other course grades for 29 semesters. Certain students completed the Health Knowledge Inventory before and after PH courses. Though PH students received relatively high grades, they experienced only modest health…

Specific studies are used to discuss three approaches to examining language teacher training programs. Points considered are teacher training programs do not provide enough training in affective areas; they do not have an adequate definition of teacher training; and they can do little to change basic perceptions about teaching and learning. (11…

A teacher educator describes how presentations of portfolios by students and evaluation of the portfolios by classroom peers replaced the usual final exam in a foundations of education course. A learning experience in itself, the portfolio presentations allowed students to reflect on their own learning and to demonstrate it using their own…

Describes the Anthropology/Archaeology Museum Program. Explains that the program provides high school students with real and practical tasks in the social studies. Consists of an elective text-based traditional course and museums and audiovisual programs. Teaches students as they work as curators, archaeologists, and teachers for elementary school…

The effects of educational practices emphasizing faculty control of the learning process on student effort to learn are explored. Research on student learning is summarized. Educational systems that do not acknowledge student management of their own effort will not succeed. (SLD)

Two teachers discuss their experiences implementing Foxfire practices in an alternative high school. One teacher was apprehensive about changing from the "traditional" approach to "student-initiated learning." The other teacher also experienced moments of doubt, but both teachers realized the benefits of the Foxfire approach…

Mr. Leidig discusses his English teaching career at Emory and Henry College (Virginia), where for many years he offered courses in poetry and folk literature. He believes these courses were influential with Appalachian students because they encouraged the connection between the study of literary works and student experience. (LP)

Four canoeists who had completed four or more solo canoe expeditions of two weeks or longer were interviewed to understand their solitary wilderness experiences. Discussions of their motivations and experiences illustrate the opportunities that wilderness solitude provides for connection with nature, reflection on one's life, self-exploration, and…

Discusses the benefits for students and communities of service-learning experiences. Briefly describes student efforts to formulate and solve community problems as part of the Expeditionary Learning project (Massachusetts), which calls on adults and students to embark on experiential learning "expeditions" to renew themselves as…

Discusses lifelong learning in the perspective of individual life histories. Examines examples of learning experiences which have shaped the life-course of the subject or have changed or influenced his or her identity. Examines the nature, form, and social context of these learning experiences, focusing on empowerment and transformation. Contains…