To test an experiential learning program's effects on adolescents' knowledge and attitudes about local government, high school students serving as interns to local government officials were compared to students not yet participating in this program. Results showed that interns gained significantly in knowledge and political competence, but not in…

Suggests a framework for clinical teacher education (to be used in programs for prospective, beginning, and career teachers) that proposes context as a defining property and outlines seven critical features. Programs should be purposeful, participatory, knowledge-based, ongoing, developmental, analytical, and reflective. Includes 55 notes. (MLH)

A technique to develop differentiated requesting skills in individuals with severe handicaps is the "missing item format." By delaying the presentation of a needed item the child is encouraged to independently request the item. Sequential use of the technique in three phases is explained. (DB)

The author suggests teaching methods useful in helping adults apply their learning. Topics discussed include (1) performing practice audits, (2) emphasizing learning topics that participants want to pursue, (3) providing incentives and reducing resistance, (4) developing active learning methods, and (5) providing evaluation and reinforcement. (CH)

Offers suggestions for spring activities focusing on plant reproduction both indoors and outdoors. Suggests planting seeds to observe, measure, and record effects of temperature, moisture, fertilizer. Recommends outdoor study of the horsetail plant. (NEC)

Describes typical winter farm lessons for students visiting Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center located 70 miles north of New York City: butter and corncake making, soil erosion experiments, dissecting and growing seeds. Emphasizes major theme of conservation of farmland from destructive farming practices and careless development. (NEC)

Outlines six soil and water investigations that students can pursue outdoors, in nature centers, or in classrooms: soil characteristics; relationship between soil ph and plant life; what aggregates tell us; differences in soil structure; differences in rate of water absorption by soil; and soil exploration with a Berlesi funnel. (NEC)

Provides directions for 18 environmental activities/concepts for adventure programming including games (clam free, habitat lap sit, spirals); warm-ups/stretches (bug tug, stork stretch); trust builders/group initiatives (willow in wind, opossum ferry); low elements (all aboard, trolley); medium elements (rebirth, tire on pole); and high elements…

The author discusses cooperative education at the postsecondary level. Topics include (1) college credit for work; (2) participant requirements; (3) benefits to students, including a salary and experience; (4) midcareer changes; and (5) benefits to employers. Several examples are provided. (CH)

Argues that management training is a cost-effective tool for improving company profit, innovation, and performance. Describes how large and small companies have implemented and used management training. (CH)

Discusses the increasing need for inquiry and inductive-learning teaching techniques in the social studies. Encourages the use of values clarification, moral education techniques, and experiential learning to assist students in clarifying and constructing a positive belief system. Challenges social studies teachers to actively work toward…

States that learning is most effective when the learner has a basic understanding of established goals, when individual differences are considered, and when concept learning is enhanced by connecting first hand experiences. Advocates the use of social studies activities as a meaningful and logical way to enhance language and learning skills. (GEA)

The author describes the case study method of management education, which provides experiential learning in the classroom. He covers unique features of the case study method, as well as types of cases. Advantages and limitations of this method are presented. (CH)

The article reviews the literature on teaching cooking skills to mentally retarded students. The lack of research which assesses procedures for teaching food preparation skills is discussed as are the need for training in natural settings, the costs involved in teaching cooking skills, and the need for more thorough baseline assessment. (Author/DB)

Explored attitudes toward the elderly of nursing personnel (N=101) employed in long-term care settings. Also investigated the impact of an experiential education program on the attitudes of nursing personnel providing daily care for the aged. Results tend to contradict several popularly held beliefs. (Author/ABB)