Describes several product-testing projects designed to help students develop the skills they need to make educated purchases and be savvy consumers. The tests involve examining the taste of and ingredients in cold cereals. Other tests involve examining crayons, glue, laundry detergent, oranges, and popcorn. (SM)

A crew of seventh and eighth graders at a middle school comprise the writers, editors, and talent of Kid Time News, produced by a Taft broadcasting station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. News vignettes are aimed at children and include topics such as current events, bike safety, jobs, water safety, babysitting tips, and youth fitness. (MLH)

An experience-based learning model is reported that helps intermediate and advanced students make the transition from language to literature courses in the context of real-life situations. In the Santa Clara project, students meet practical needs of underserved Hispanic populations while practicing their language skills. (Contains seven…

Outdoor and environmental education teachers and consultants identified nine common barriers to implementing outdoor education programs. Two frequently cited problems were lack of administrative support and teacher's limited training, experience, or confidence. Presents techniques and tactics for resolving these barriers. (LP)

Discusses situated learning and virtual reality, focusing on the pedagogical aspects of the technology and its importance in achieving a learning environment which challenges and supports effective learning. (AEF)

A Hawaiian hula instructor describes how she teaches hula dancing to her students, explaining that there is no difference in how she shows them how to do something within or outside of the classroom. The article emphasizes the importance of students understanding and experiencing what they are being taught. (SM)

From leading garden tours to planning a visit for Japanese teachers and participating in community theater, middle schoolers at Fort Worth's Applied Learning Academy learn academic content by working on community projects. Students' writing skills soared as they developed, edited, and field-tested brochures and trail-guide maps for their botanical…

The Model U.N. is a popular experiential learning program that engages students through cooperative-learning techniques and multicultural education. Every year over 60,000 U.S. secondary and college students participate in role-play simulations of United Nations meetings. Students are challenged intellectually, enjoy stimulating group activities,…

When a male student enrolled, a university program designed to prepare counselors for helping women experienced problems in terms of other students' feelings of safety and trust in sharing experiences, qualitative differences in topics discussed, and use of experiential learning drawn from women's life experiences. (SK)

Examines the role of children's play as part of developmentally appropriate practices for young children. Suggests that schoolchildren's play is creative, and more complex than that of younger children. As work and play intertwine throughout the layers of the classroom, the combination helps them learn to manage time responsibly. (AA)

People will learn better if they like what they are learning. Computers offer an extensive library of cases, examples, and stories that are easy to access, fun to work through, and tell students what they want to know. One example is the ASK system, a 15-module, self-study, multimedia program that is fun for trainees to use, which should enhance…

Hands-on experience lets students explore, discover, and think their way through science. The article explains why hands-on science works, presenting tools for getting started with few resources. Activities have students work with the environment in their backyards and the schoolyard. Resources for hands-on science are presented. (SM)

Elementary teachers can use graphing to introduce students to one another. An eye color graphing activity helps students learn more about each other while experimenting with different ways of organizing and displaying information. For follow up, students can apply their graphing knowledge by collecting and displaying data from their families. (SM)

Discusses the work and philosophy of Italian physician and educator Maria Montessori. Examines her belief in students' need to exercise correct thinking through sensory experience. Describes Montessori's views on the development of children's moral values through interaction. Identifies the upbringer's role as the active supervisor of children's…

At St. Paul's Catholic High School (Ottawa, Ontario), the Cooperative Mentorship Program linked gifted high school students with community/business mentors. Working on student projects enhanced responsibility and self-esteem, developed interpersonal skills, and gave valuable workplace experience. (SK)