This paper promotes the increased use of literature in preservice special education programs to address beliefs and attitudes of students. Discussion points out the limitations of textbooks and the power of literature to portray character, convey knowledge, and foster experience-based learning. A table identifies teacher education needs and shows…

A Canadian family toured Egypt by backpacking so they could experience the people and culture free of the insular effects of tourist accommodations. Direct exposure to people and culture, especially other children, was a valuable learning experience for their two young children and laid the foundation for an understanding of their responsibility…

Describes the course "Introduction to Oral History," taught the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) that explores southern and African history since World War II. Emphasizes the history of Chatham County, a rural community south of Chapel Hill. (CMK)

Describes a one-week course that focused on connections between global processes and local communities using an action-learning model. Discusses the action learning model, the content of the course, how student learning was evaluated, and what the teachers learned throughout the course. Addresses other uses of the model. (CMK)

This study evaluated effects of a teacher-training package that included sequential components of activity-based intervention (ABI) alone and ABI with discrete trials on the rate of instructional opportunities for young children with disabilities. All three children showed a higher rate of independent correct responses to target learning…

Through teaching Appalachian Culture, a sociologist discovered that oral history in particular, and qualitative methods in general, balance quantitative data in presenting a complete picture. Direct experiences outside the classroom, such as field trips and community-based research encourage active, experiential learning. Because working in teams…

Reviews the work of Lynn Dierking and John Falk on museum learning. Presents a contextual model for understanding museum experiences and learning. (DDR)

Describes organizing a science day which includes having a statement of purpose, the organization of the day, details about the activities, and specific outcomes for the day. Recommends varying the activities for different levels. (DDR)

Describes an adobe conservation project used with seventh- and eighth-grade students at the Zuni Pueblo (New Mexico). States that the project motivates students as they participate in experiential learning. Addresses the objectives in a traditional architecture curriculum and contends that the adobe conservation project demonstrates the place of…

Addresses what should be learned through service learning in political science identifying two objectives: (1) transmitting knowledge; and (2) developing active citizens. Believes that it is necessary to impart factual knowledge about politics through service learning in order to create educated students and engaged citizens in political science.…

Discusses the use of technology at the Seattle Art Museum (Washington). Includes a Web site that enables students in grades six through ten to act as curators and offers integrations of technology in the exhibition "Leonardo Lives: The Codex Leicester and Leonardo da Vinci's Legacy of Art and Science." (CMK)

In-the-moment events, which may take unexpected, negative turns and require unplanned responses, necessitate teacher flexibility to maintain an effective learning environment. Case studies within the framework of experiential learning theory illustrate flexible responses. Flexibility may be expanded by assessing learning style, experimenting with…

A teacher of gifted elementary school students reflects on her experiences using the Foxfire approach and on its value in involving students in experiential learning and facilitating higher level critical and creative thinking skills. Seven of her sixth grade students describe the projects they've completed over the years. (SV)

Discusses assessment and evaluation instruments associated with the observation and analysis of communication within groups involved in simulations, games, and role play workshops. Interpersonal communication is described from three perspectives: (1) observer-based, (2) self-assessment, and (3) a combination of self- and colearner assessment. (21…

Investigated were the attitudes of two groups of students in their first year of secondary education at four metropolitan senior high schools in Western Australia. Results indicated that there was little attitude difference between the group which had experienced the new curriculum and those who had not. (CW)