This paper elaborates on the ways self-reflective practices that have sprung from within the postmodern discourse may conduce to meaningful learning, all without forgetting that the truth is idiosyncratic and that the highest human goals are barely teachable. Hence, rather than prescribing methodological "recipes," the paper looks at the…

Need exists in the area of child psychology for improved understanding of the world of children. While the developmental theories of Jean Piaget and Margaret Mahler contain truth, they should not yet be taken as explanatory. Explanatory theory should be based on the rigorous and naturalistic exploration of lived experiences as well as on tests of…

Discusses three realities used in constructing knowledge and their traditional research methodologies as basis for proposing a research agenda/methodology for rural education. Proposes use of conceptual empiricism and contextual appraisal of self, class, school, and schooling. Suggests currere (self-introspection technique), hegemony, and…

Effective teachers have classes with a life and spirit of their own, a quality that grabs students. The author calls this prehensive teaching, from the Latin word "prehension," meaning to seize, grasp, apprehend by the senses. Ways to restore the prehensive nature of teaching are suggested. (MT)

All educational authority is not contained within the schoolyard fence. Education and re-education are processes in which the authority underlying not just knowledge of things, but value orientations and even self-identity, should be created by communities that are much more enclusive than the profession of education. (CB)

Examined whether a holistic magnitude relation governs children's object comparisons. Objects varying on two dimensions of magnitude, size, and saturation were classified by three-, four-, and five-year-olds. Results indicated that younger children were sensitive to global magnitude as well as to overall similarity. (Author/BE)

Present research into the psychophysical process affecting illness and health is providing an awareness that a person cannot be treated piecemeal. Described is an experiential course in holistic health that was favorably received by students and had a significant impact on them. (RM)

Discusses how an existential approach to counseling can help counselors provide effective diagnosis, intervention and followup for culturally different clients from this country or from other societies. Existential counseling is not a psychological enterprise but a philosophical venture requiring holistic investigation. (JAC)

Based on a newly developed holistic theory of knowledge and learning, this paper critically evaluates several contemporary theories of adult learning. Most of existing adult learning theories tend to narrowly define knowledge and learning and fail to offer adequate explanation for adult learning. Implications for HRD theory, research, and practice…

The main purpose of this study was to examine the validity of a new systemic model of learning transfer and thus determine if a more holistic approach to training transfer could better explain the phenomenon. In all, this study confirmed the validity of the new systemic model and suggested that a high performance work system could indeed serve as…

As the world has evolved during the past century, so has the nature of career counseling. In the past, the profession focused predominantly on a directive and assessment-driven approach to career development that favored matching clients with the "right" job in order to facilitate their occupational decisions. In recent years, however, numerous…

Explains a comprehensive curriculum as a means to introduce youngsters to a wide extent of knowledge and experience. Discusses problems regarding vocational education: (1) it must become integrated with rest of curriculum; (2) it must avoid being only a means of tracking students, and (3) it must direct students' attention to whole question of…

The importance of an educational approach to the mentally retarded is that it forces professionals to perceive the mentally retarded as those who develop slowly, but could advance more rapidly if everything were appropriate in their environment. (Author/BRR)

The first (1997) international conference on adventure therapy (Perth, Australia) was attended by over 270 participants from 21 countries. Major themes included defining adventure therapy, therapeutic behavior change versus changing attitudes and values, the ethics of therapy, whether adventure therapy must link to a recognized school of…

Summarizes the historical roots and the ontological, epistemological, and methodological assumptions underlying phenomenology as a research orientation. Describes phenomenology as a reaction against and an alternative to dominant positivist, behaviorist, and quantitative research, and also as having links to several older, concomitant research…