This essay examines issues of giftedness and excellence, beginning with classical references to human striving toward the "good," the attraction of gifted children to quality, and the recent discovery of the oldest known cave art with its manifest excellence. Classroom activities related to cave art and language arts, social studies,…

This paper examines empirical evidence and arguments for full inclusion of students with emotional and behavioral disorders. It reports a lack of empirical evidence supporting inclusion of this population and identifies problems in the arguments of full inclusion proponents. The paper also summarizes evidence contradicting the position that "more…

Argues that the organization of cognitive structures for technical domains can be visualized as a network of connected thinkable models. Describes a taxonomy of models that has been developed and discusses the issue of how representations relate to human modes of perception and action. Contains 25 references. (DDR)

Explains why Evald Ilyenkov (1924-79) is a serious cultural philosopher whose ideas are of enduring significance. Argues that Ilyenkov offers an intriguing vision of the relation of mind and world, which has radical implications for conceptions of thought, language, and human communication. Attempts to show that one thinker in the Soviet tradition…

Determined extent of agreement among a panel of nine rational-emotive therapy (RET) experts about essence of RET. Responses were categorized as either general cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or RET-specific. A case can be made for subsuming many aspects of CBT under RET because of associated origins of CBT and RET. (FC)

Uses jazz improvisation as a metaphor to focus on three interrelated aspects of ethical responsibility according to Emmanuel Lavinas's theories: (1) passivity; (2) heteronomy; and (3) inescapability. Discusses some ways in which reframing responsibility and subjectivity along this line might offer new possibilities for conceiving subjectivity and…

Argues that reading literature is one of the best ways to cultivate the moral imagination. Draws on sources from cognitive science, philosophy, literature, and education. Argues that a cultivated moral imagination will have greater ability to make sound moral judgements. Infers this can be applied to educational pursuits as well. (CAJ)

Presents a historical and philosophical overview of ideas about permanence versus change in the self over time. Discusses the personal-narrative approach to the problem of identity continuity, describes a typology of strategies whereby adolescents interviewed in Canada made sense of self-continuity and change, and discusses significant differences…

This concluding chapter offers thoughts about educational philosophy and how higher education might view technology as it moves between the seemingly paradoxical ideas of making the academic experience more user-friendly and making distance education available to the masses. (EV)

Argues that the goal of synthesis, as literally understood, is inadequate when used as a defining characteristic of interdisciplinary studies since epistemological differences among disciplines can be irreconcilable. Proposes alternative objectives for interdisciplinary studies, such as broadening students' perspectives and showing limitations of…

Traces the origins of Friedrich Froebel's views on children, curriculum, pedagogics, and didactics; the underpinnings of his beliefs concerning the nature of knowledge; and the kinds of knowledge and dispositions he believed were appropriate for children to acquire. (MDM)

Discusses some strategies that can keep alive the organizational vision of staff working in a child-care center. Suggestions include ideas such as exploring and developing collective visions over time; determining parents' expectations; encouraging collaborative efforts in keeping the visions alive; creating maps, symbols, and representation of…

Discusses Kierkegaard's idea of repetition as a dynamic conversation between groups that reveals possible changes in a discourse. Describes an instructor's experiences imparting a science education methods course in a Native American school in Saskatchewan, highlighting the conversation between the instructors' past and Native American culture.…

Reviews Rousseau's ideas related to negative education, the role of the teacher in the educational process, and the characteristics of good teachers. Argues that Rousseau's views are not compatible with the conventional laissez-faire approach of child-centered education, but represent a sophisticated approach to balancing freedom and control. (12…

Describes development and piloting of 30-hour module, composed of contributions from seven EU countries, for inclusion in professional development programs for educare workers. Concludes that the module was effective in encouraging students to reflect on the dilemmas implicit in all early years work and to be open to a far wider range of possible…