Multivariate analytic techniques offer useful research methods that permit the experiential educator to test theoretical models, analyze the effects of several variables acting together, and predict the effects of one set of variables upon another set of variables. Several of these techniques are discussed, including analysis of variance, multiple…

Reviews essays by Raymond Williams, which explain how, within the context of a 150-year literary history, rural stereotypes have been constructed and imbedded within a collective consciousness by a form of cultural colonization. Suggests that Williams' insights can help rural education researchers think outside the conventional wisdom that…

A research agenda was developed to examine effects of rural school busing on rural children, families, and communities. The agenda addresses the history, politics, and financing of rural school busing; social, cultural, health, and safety considerations; geographic justice and school distribution; relationship to consolidation; influences on…

A study to determine whether computer software could meet objectives of the Ministry of Education's (Quebec, Canada) secondary school plastic arts program found that SuperPaint enabled students to meet the objectives, fostered creativity, increased motivation, and increased learning autonomy. Recommends computers be used for project sketches…

Several Colorado schools hired data analysts to help with school improvement efforts. The analysts are teachers who participate on school leadership teams and who support school action research teams. They collect and organize baseline data, help teams measure results of proposed changes, and evaluate results after implementation. Because they are…

Outlines a model for examining research on middle grades reform. Suggests that high levels of implementation of the recommendations set forth in "Turning Points: Preparing Youth for the 21st Century" will improve teacher work life and job satisfaction as well as school climate and student support. (SR)

This article describes critical events that have shaped gifted education, including: intelligence testing, the concept of intelligence, the construct of creativity, greater understanding of brain functions, the work of John Dewey, Jerome Bruner, and Leta Hollingworth, school reform, world change, and the shift from identification to meeting…

Describes a school-based curriculum project involving 12 student teachers studying geography and modern foreign languages on a one-year Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) course in the University of Durham (England) in which they visited Olomouc (Czech Republic) for two weeks to plan and prepare teaching materials and carry out their…

Proposes a model to explain the underlying theoretical foundation by which Internet learning takes place in an educational environment. Central to this model is the hypothesis that learning and teaching are distinguishable consequences of Internet use in education. The "orbicular model" not only enunciates this hypothesis, but extends the process…

Utilizes historical research in order to examine current arts education policy; historical research can help policymakers develop more comprehensive perspectives and understand why specific strategies might have failed in the past. Explores reasons behind art education, why art was taught in public schools, and how to implement lasting reforms.…

Determines whether modes of instruction and uses of different instruments affect students attitudes, recall, and performance skill for Ghandian music. Stresses that authentic instruments are important in achieving optimum attitude and knowledge outcomes in multicultural music instruction. Identifies the benefits of live instruction as opposed to…

Examines whether analysis techniques of student/teacher interactions widely used throughout the United Sates could be applied to a music instruction setting in Japan by analyzing two videotaped music lessons of different teachers. Finds that teacher A, who used five times more feedback, was rated higher overall by both Japanese and U.S. students.…

Examines an Advanced Placement U.S. history classroom as a miniature common school to assess students' abilities to develop historically-grounded perspectives and engage in a moral debate. Finds that (1) students with little historical-grounding lacked an inclination toward a collective, ethical critique; and (2) exchange of historically-grounded…

Presents a case study of grade 9 curriculum reforms at a urban high school in Ontario (Canada). Explains that students were streamed according to their abilities and interests before the reform. Discusses questions related to de-streaming, especially how teachers contend with mixed-ability classes, and integration with a particular focus on…

A study of two classes of eighth-grade science students taught by the same teacher investigated student perceptions of learning environment, achievement levels, and conceptual understanding of research. Found relationships between autonomy and student-centeredness scales and post-testing. Features three student case studies, underscoring the…