Describes 10 educational practices to reduce fears of participants in adventure activities. Practices include formal informed consent, safety briefing, reassurance of nonjudgmental experiential-learning principles, statement of group and individual goals, sequential development of activities, "challenge by choice," instructor behavior and…

Discusses the use of networked technologies to add value to the learning experience during vocational placements of undergraduate students. Presents a case study showing the design and implementation of such networked support, and concludes that networked technologies such as audio conferencing and Web-based support have definite advantages for…

Describes an experiential learning strategy and field research project that was used as a means of transforming undergraduate students' gender understandings by engaging them in the research process from the development of hypotheses through the interpretation of data collected in field interviews. Discusses student reactions. (CMK)

A Gathering of Waters is a community-based art and activism project to raise awareness that the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo is a desperately endangered river, connect communities dependent on the river, and galvanize those communities into action. Activities provided actual and symbolic experiences of river water for American Indian, Hispanic, Anglo, and…

Let's Get Real, a competitive program in its 5th year, challenges teams of secondary students (in public, private, and home schools) to solve actual problems posed by corporate co- sponsors. Proposed solutions are presented at corporate headquarters and judged by corporate executives, scientists, and engineers. (MLH)

Describes historical precedents and current trends in the incorporation of gardening into the school curriculum in South Carolina and California. In these outdoor classrooms, children plan and implement specific projects related to nutrition, environmental awareness, and community beautification, as well as an appreciation for nature. (SAS)

Drawing in a nature journal connects students to their immediate environment, integrates many disciplines, and encourages various styles of learning. It is not necessary to draw well; nature journaling is about learning observation skills, not drawing skills. Equipment, getting started, and various exercises are described. Fifteen resources are…

A degree in adventure education is not a prerequisite for employment in the profession. Furthermore, since degree requirements cannot provide experience, a degree is insufficient. Nevertheless, a degree offers a theoretical foundation not readily learned as a practitioner, and it offers the opportunity for developing more effective professionals.…

Reports on the development of a series of assignments for use in a basic microbiology course involving sophomore-, junior-, and senior-level students from five different biology majors. Assignments include writing, a class debate, and case history studies. (Author/MM)

Examines integrating computer mediated communication (CMC) in graduate education and describes the use of CMC to promote experiential learning in an educational-technology course, highlighting approach and objectives, curriculum changes, design of virtual space, instructional method, and results. Suggests further implementations. (PEN)

Examines the learning profiles of students in political science courses at a private liberal arts college. Using the Kolb Learning Style Model, demonstrates that students in political science courses use a variety of learning styles. Suggests that instructors expand their teaching methods to address a broader number of learning styles. (DSK)

A student-initiated nature center project began six years ago when the original participants were in fifth grade. The students did the research, planning, construction, grant writing, and accounting and tied it all to Colorado state standards. Student engagement and self-confidence grew from a sense of responsibility and from knowing that the…

Focuses on how to help children use everyday conversation to develop a scientific point of view by facilitating the interplay between experience and language. Argues that enhanced language skills enable children to better communicate their observations, draw conclusions from what they have observed, and discover patterns in their conclusions. (SD)

Describes a web-based clearinghouse for information relevant to an experiential learning program in Afro-American Studies at the University of Maryland. The interactive, online learning community connects theory and practice, various constituencies, and diverse forms of experiential learning. Problems with Internet use include limited minority…

Experiential education is not just experiential learning, but also a philosophy of education that involves the interaction between learner and teacher and recognizes the larger system-level issues within education. Viewing experiential education as a philosophy allows for its various expressions to argue collectively for educational reform that…