Teachers at all levels are encouraged to use role-playing and simulation. Unfortunately, teachers usually overestimate role-playing's learning value and often ascribe too much power to simple simulation activities. Teachers use these methods mainly to change behavior (and values), not reinforce curriculum content. Sociodramas (scenes based on…

Although teachers at all levels are encouraged to use role-playing and simulation, they usually overestimate role-playing's learning value. Teachers use these methods mainly to change behavior (and values), not reinforce curriculum content. Sociodramas (scenes based on typical situations facing children) are more effective role-playing activities…

Explores reasons behind the wrongful adoption of Native American ceremonies by Euro-Americans. Focuses on the need for ceremony, its relevance to environmental education, and the fact that some immigrant cultural traditions neither fit this new land nor value the earth. Suggests how non-Natives can express their connection to the land by creating…

A former intern at Merrowvista Education Center reflects on her experiences learning to facilitate adventure programs, and discusses the value of interning at a residential center, changes in her attitudes as her skills developed, and the importance of reflection for staff as well as participants. (SV)

A process model for experiential learning (EL) in adult education begins with the characteristics and needs of adult learners and conceptual foundations of EL. It includes methods and techniques for in-class and field-based experiences, building a folio (point-in-time performance assessment), and portfolio construction (assessing transitional…

Applications of the process model of experiential learning in various adult learning settings are illustrated: teacher education, settings using educational technology, adventure programs, adult literacy education, and diversity training. (SK)

Autobiography is the imaginative construction of one's life story and the creative expression of lifelong transformative learning. Its use in studying adult transformation raises political and ethical questions and concerns about qualitative methods; it demonstrates the usefulness of conversation as a research process. (SK)

The Clinical Learning Spiral incorporates reflective processes into undergraduate nursing education. It entails successive cycles of four phases: preparative (briefing, planning), constructive (practice development), reflective (debriefing), and reconstructive (planning for change and commitment to action). (SK)

This article reviews research on the effectiveness of the Individualized Curriculum Sequencing Model for teaching social interaction skills to young children with handicaps. The approach involves teaching social skills and other functional behaviors during varied situations throughout the day using a distributed trial training format. (Author/DB)

Compares the practice of assessing prior learning in the United States and Britain and reviews major issues: nature of the evidence, collection of evidence into portfolios, evaluation, and costs. (SK)

The concept of whole language instruction is explained by means of examples from a kindergarten unit on the grocery store. Activities include visiting the supermarket, making stone soup, and creating a grocery store. Activities teach reading, writing, oral language, phonics, and word recognition. (DG)

Presented is an in-class earth science activity on the weathering of rocks. The materials, procedures, and results of this activity are discussed. (CW)

Describes the Kansas Internship Program to increase the likelihood of success for beginning teachers. Based on program implementation research, this article offers suggestions for conducting a successful internship program and discusses relevant factors that might influence assessment, such as gender, age, and racial differences. (10 references)…

The whole language approach considers it essential to make learning active, to be respectful of teachers and learners, to allow students to develop ownership and control of their language and learning, and to use a variety of subjects together holistically. (SK)

The National SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) project on Inclusive Curriculum provides K-12 teachers an opportunity for renewal and consideration of gender-inclusive and multicultural curricula. Seminars, led from multiple perspectives, immerse participants in recent scholarship on inclusive education and model teaching strategies…