Discusses constructivist theory and its role in educational reform. Defines the theory as a focus on active rather than passive learning. Relates constructivism to the reflective inquiry approach to social studies. (CFR)

Describes the effects of Camp DETOUR, an adventure experience program for sixth-grade students at a Georgia middle school. Program goals were improvement of student self-esteem as a component of drug abuse prevention and improvement of student behavior. The program was shown to have positive effects on student self-esteem. This result may deter…

Reports on a study of 200 lesson plans developed by student teachers. Found that lessons based on the Teach-Practice-Apply Model had fewer objectives and more fully developed lessons than those based on a conventional model of lesson development. Calls for additional research to examine the effects of lesson planning on student achievement. (CFR)

Competency-based training workshops based on Kolb's experiential learning theory were held for North Carolina adult basic education teachers; 251 attended 1-day sessions and 91 a week-long summer institute. Topics included interpersonal communication, reading, numeracy, language arts, math, assessment, and program evaluation. (SK)

A survey of 76 college professors of advertising investigated the extent of their use of experiential learning in courses. Respondents were in journalism/communication, management/business, or combined departments. Results document widespread use of experiential learning techniques and also indicate opportunities for expansion. (Author/MSE)

Examines issues related to situated cognition and learning, both in the classroom and in the world. Topics discussed include educational theories; the situated nature of knowledge; the perception of experts; and the role of technology in situated learning, including virtual reality, hypertext, and telecommunications. (26 references) (LRW)

Discussion of situated learning focuses on classroom instruction. Topics addressed include individual uniqueness; a knowledge community, including the process of knowledge acquisition; situated instruction, including the role of the teacher; authentic activity, including teacher-student interaction; and implications for educational technology. (26…

Outdoor education staff in Toronto developed definitions of outdoor education, environmental education, conservation education, experiential education, environmental studies, adventure education, and global education. Predicts influences on outdoor education, lists implications of those influences, and recommends directions for outdoor educators…

Assessed differences in teaching of the theme of "the shop" in four Swedish preschools and outcomes in terms of children's understanding. Interviews of children were used to assess their levels of comprehension of the workings of a shop. Results indicated that children from experimental groups developed a significantly better…

This article offers quick, inexpensive activities for teaching concepts in three basic areas of the elementary science curriculum (air, sound, and light) with instructions for assembling more sophisticated laboratory tools (e.g., an electroscope and a balance scale). Hands-on science activities that use household items are described. (SM)

Two elementary teachers present plans, procedures, and activities used in organizing a two-day, schoolwide estimation and measurement fair. This event inspired enthusiasm for math by offering 40 indoor and outdoor activities concentrating on estimation in capacity, length, area, duration, and weight. (SM)

A program that encourages knowledge generation and reflection is peer-assisted leadership (PAL), where principals shadow one another and conduct reflective interviews. Principals' reactions reveal their concerns about professional isolation, their need for relevant information, their frustrations as instructional leaders, and their desire to avoid…

A 20-week experiential pharmaceutical training program was developed to meet the learning objectives of a traditional externship/clerkship program without the arbitrary separation of clinical activities from distributive and management experiences, and to provide understanding of the purpose of managed care practice and strategic planning process…

A project to develop science curricula for high-ability learners in grades K-8 reviewed curriculum materials and developed criteria for assessing curriculum materials, science concept papers, a scope and sequence model, and exemplary curriculum units. The curriculum centered on the role of students as investigators. Implications of the project are…

Suggestions are offered to speech-language pathologists on how to use field trips to enhance vocabulary skills and provide a setting for meaningful communicative interaction for students with language handicaps. (Author/DB)