In her new book "Music, Informal Learning and the School" (2008), Lucy Green consolidates many ideas presented in her previous writings. There is little doubt of the significance of her approach, but it raises epistemological and pedagogical issues that must be addressed to better understand where music teachers go next with informal…

As educators, we must do more than present information and test for its accumulation. We must prepare each mind to learn--to receive and organize information for later application. This requires both an awareness of the learner's capacities and specific action to build a "cognitive set" to receive new material. (Author/SJL)

Notes that guided participation is not a new instructional technique, and that "apprenticeship" best illustrates the concept. Cites as key how teachers create a context for active participation in socially constituted practices. Points out that accent is on relationships, not individuals, shifting attention to learning experiences with a…

Grounded teaching and learning based on grounded theory involves continuous collection and analysis of data; hypotheses formed, rejected, and reformed during the process; and the data (learners' self-reporting of their learning experiences) as the focal point of activity. (SK)

Currently in the United States, an estimated 30% of new teachers leave the profession within three years. One way to increase the retention rate is to train constituents involved in the student teaching experience, a crucial experience wherein a cooperating teacher mentors the intern who ostensibly learns to navigate all facets of the teaching…

Discussion of educational systems design describes four systems levels that can be emphasized: learning experience, instructional, administration, and governance levels. Factors to be considered in selecting a focus level and the implications of focusing on the learning experience level are discussed; and a table comparing instructional and…

Maintains that poetry can be used in a variety of ways to stimulate and enliven the early childhood curriculum. (BB)

A composition teacher recounts the changes undergone during a teaching career. (FL)

Heidegger's analyses of human being-in-the-world deconstructs our current "technological" outlook on the world as something to be used and suggests an alternative concept of dwelling in a place. Outdoor educators seeking to foster an environmental ethic must create a space where participants can "listen," become attuned to the…

Assuming that computers will be part of programs for young children, this paper initially describes skills children exhibit in play at computers, provides a scenario of a child's first encounter with a computer, and offers a rationale for including computers in young children's programs. Subsequent material describes the LOGO computer language,…

This discussion focuses on several principles and models of early childhood education which have been used to improve children's ability to live and work with others. Modern problems of socialization in early childhood are discussed in terms of the generation gap in industrial societies, the development of the "private" family with…

Free, spontaneous play provides the child with opportunities to practice problem-solving and language use. Nonetheless, results from laboratory observations of children's play indicate that adults and instructional materials can enrich the play of young children. (PP)

Initial adaptation to the preschool or day care program is essential to the child's ultimate ability to make maximum use of the learning experiences made available each day. A well-planned initial visit (in which interest in coming back to school and a beginning rapport is established) followed by a carefully timed and individualized adaptation…

Discusses the use of film in the classroom as a tool for second-language instruction. Argues that controversial subject matter, such as sex, violence, and profane language, can enhance students' learning experience and deepen their critical thinking skills if treated sensitively and in a pedagogically sound manner. (12 references) (Author/CK)

Colleges and universities have become increasingly reliant on part-time faculty without, in most cases, adequately establishing policies to assess the consequences for student learning. As administrators and faculty confront increasing demands from a variety of constituents, there is often less time for engaging in important dialogue on core…