Ideas of the philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre are developed for application to education. The school implied by MacIntyre's philosophy emphasizes content, substance, virtue, the learning environment, and the learning process. In a pluralist society, a school of choice, rather than a common school, is preferable. (SLD)

Discusses attempts by Botswana to expand and modernize its educational system using new technology in light of Jacques Ellul's ideas on technology and Ivan Illich's views on education. Problems encountered in adopting technology are used as cautions for developing countries attracted to new technology for mass education. Highlights relevance of…

Describes the teaching experiences and philosophy of 1995 National Teacher of the Year Elaine Griffin. With her husband Ned, Griffin began her teaching career in the roadless village of Akhiok (Alaska) and now teaches in a three-room school in Chiniak, Kodiak Island. Classroom activities such as Socratic discussion are described that nurture…

Teacher development will increasingly focus on how teachers' inner/spiritual life can be nourished. A renewed interest in the teacher-as-person stems from the eternal revolution/counterrevolution in education, the resurgence of Constructivism, and concerns for quality of working life in schools. Clinical supervision brings out the "inner…

Two major currents of reflection on education exist in the Francophone world. The first, "didactique"--didactics--relates to teacher planning, working chiefly from considerations about the pupil's cognitive characteristics. The second, "pedagogie"--pedagogy--relates to the features of pedagogical reflection-in-action. The…

Reviews a selection of recent scholarly and general reference works under the categories of Periodicals and Newspapers, Philosophy, Literature, Film and Radio, Art and Architecture, Music, Political Science, Women's Studies, and History. A brief summary of new editions of standard works is provided at the end of the articles. (AEF)

The debate over national history standards is so fixated on "which history" that the importance of studying history is being overlooked. History humanizes us in ways that few other curricular areas can. Three classroom vignettes illustrate the difficulties of achieving mature historical understanding in a Disney/MTV-dominated culture. (53…

For 11 years, a private school operated out of a rented house has offered homeschoolers, charter- and public-school students, families, preschoolers, community activists, college students, apprentices, and educators programs that reflect the homeschooling lifestyle and incorporate feminine-based education. Describes the school's structure,…

Discusses the philosophy and purposes of public education. The belief that preparation for employment and the imposition of moral consensus are not legitimate purposes of education, and that democracy cannot be taught in the controlling, hierarchical structure that public education has become, leads many to look to alternative education to nurture…

Schools must stick to core issues--those concerned with teaching and learning and provision of material resources to maximize intellectual and personal growth. They must develop a fluid change model and a vision promoting abolition of violence, humanitarian standards, and global justice. Schools should also adopt a developmental learning cycle.…

A home schooling father and college professor describes the personal traits of a good teacher: a willingness to engage in child-led learning; genuine humility and compassion; the inner security to teach others freely; a willingness to learn, often from students; and patience. Parents who wish to isolate their children from the world or force-feed…

Holistic educational research looks beyond test scores as a measure of student development and considers broader perspectives, such as quality of life and community interactions. Approaches to making research more understandable, accessible, and practical at a grassroots level include qualitative research, informal research, participatory research…

Asserts the importance of viewing the world as an interrelated system in which each culture and person has important gifts to share. Examines how prejudicial attitudes can be changed through teaching tolerance. Maintains that the Montessori philosophy and methodology contain all the elements recommended for cultural harmony. Challenges teachers to…

Discusses the philosophical underpinnings and inherent values, actions, and outcomes of accepting and implementing stewardship as a focus for education in art and ecology. Defines three elements of ecological stewardship: moral commitment, understanding the effect of actions, and demonstrating respect. Describes a series of interdisciplinary…

Profiles the career and contributions of Stephen Toulmin. Toulmin started out as physicist but eventually earned a doctorate in philosophy and addressed a wide rang of issues concerning modernity, western civilization's emphasis on rational thought, and the impact of these ideas on philosophical inquiry. (MJP)