An English teacher at a rural high school discusses how she taught a literature class by having students stage a mock trial involving the characters Beowulf and Grendel. As a result, students gained knowledge not only about the literature but also about the legal system. Includes guidelines for using role-playing activities in the classroom. (LP)

Reports psychometric data supporting the development of statewide, norm-referenced guidance competency self-efficacy scales for middle and high school students. Results indicate that the scales provide useful data, meaning that they could be used to assess the impact of guidance curriculum activities on student development. (RJM)

Colleges and universities can communicate expectations for students' moral, ethical, and character development through both the environment it creates and the formal curriculum, particularly through stated goals. A model of moral development provides insights into the processes needed to foster moral behavior, and the experiences of other…

Examines the nature of difficulties faced by mature college students in a Hong Kong university. Focuses on who provides which types of support. Results indicate that time constraints were a major concern of many students. Findings support the hypothesis that higher perceptions of sufficient support correlated to fewer difficulties in life. (RJM)

Surveyed graduate programs (N=69) in college student development to determine the extent to which core curricular offerings address the developmental needs of women college students. Also examined the experiences of women higher education administrators. Results suggest the need to update curricular offerings and to expand research in these areas.…

Describes a primary teacher's experience with implementing developmentally appropriate practice. Documents the process of changing teaching methods, abandoning ability grouping in reading, giving children significant choices, following children's progress, staying informed and sharing with colleagues, informing parents, and evaluating teaching…

Sixteen high school students in a week-long metal casting workshop wrote stream-of-consciousness journals for 15 minutes at the beginning of each session. Sentence analysis suggested that the act of journal writing consolidated task mastery through cognitive awareness of hands-on learning and contributed to the development of self-awareness and a…

Reports on a study of college students (N=276) that tested a model to identify a goodness of fit between students and educational environments. Findings indicate the importance of motivating students to engage in reciprocal relationships with their learning environments to enhance human capital skills. (RJM)

Examines why and how one elementary teacher--a veteran third-grade teacher in Arizona--uses drama in the classroom. Discusses how the teacher uses drama as a means for personal and professional growth, focuses on students achieving an understanding of self and others, and defines the drama curriculum as an "expressive orientation" within…

A mother reviews the radical acceleration of her high school daughter who will enter college at the age of 14. She recounts both positive and negative experiences during elementary and middle school, the encouragement of individual educators, flexible scheduling to allow taking advanced courses at other institutions, and barriers of school system…

Describes research on brain development and its relationship to music education. Discusses how music helps some people organize the way they think and work and how music helps them develop in other areas, including mathematics, language, and spatial reasoning. (10 references) (LMI)

Individuals have to learn to form their own identity, to determine a direction and to plan a career. However, individuals' shortage of actor competences confronts them with many problems; several institutions risk becoming overburdened by allocation or career problems. As a result, the role of the career counselor must change from that of a…

The first in a two-part series on male college student development looks at a significant issue for many young men, lack of relationship with a father, and its effect on their journey to manhood. Specific recommendations are made for adults working effectively with young adult men in this context, and areas for further study are highlighted. (MSE)

Explains the potential role and benefits of service learning in transforming schools. Argues that service learning has the potential to reinvigorate traditional classrooms and turn passive students into dynamic and engaged learners, but its implementation carries no guarantee of "product satisfaction." Further, its success lies in the…

At Balboa High School (San Francisco, California), the Wilderness Arts and Literacy Collaborative (WALC) is a 2-year environmental education program that takes an interdisciplinary, hands-on approach to learning. WALC integrates regular weekend camping trips in wilderness areas with lessons in American history, literature, and environmental…