Alan Block's (2004) major criticism of the authors' study revolves around the notion that they have attempted to quantify their students' sense of calling in an existentially inauthentic, spiritually delimiting way. For, as he puts it, "identifications of presence are impossible." The authors cannot accept this pronouncement if only for the simple…

This book captures the power of young people's visual responses to literature. It recounts the experience of a teacher who encouraged her students to respond to their readings through sketched interpretations--and, like pieces of writing, the sketches became a vital part of the curriculum as vehicles for discussion and reflective tools for…

This paper argues that there is a pressing need to discover, develop, and validate a variety of creative skills and aptitudes among students that are too often undervalued in education and training. The immediate concern is with non-advanced further education in the 16-19 age range. Section One describes the changing context of further education.…

From the beginning, readers theatre performances generally have been held in academic or theatrical settings and have relied heavily on literary scripts. Now, readers theatre performers are finding a wider range of audiences and materials for their use. Among these special audiences are elementary and secondary schools, schools for the physically…

Methods for evaluating the creative endeavors of performing artist-educators in the academic setting are suggested in this paper. The following topics are discussed: the problems involved in evaluating artist-educators with an academic yardstick; factors that cause problems in evaluating performing artist-educators' work; the need to educate…

With recent drop in price for computer-related equipment, ways are suggested to make best use out of computer-assisted programs for teaching foreign languages. An understanding of computer's capabilities and shortcomings is stressed, so that decisions about the extent of its usage for a particular language program can be made from confidence and…

Suggests that those involved in foreign language education need a greater understanding of technology in order not to fall behind the fast moving pace of the microelectronic revolution. Cites inadequate teacher-training programs and a general passivity towards the "electronic learning age" as two of the major obstacles which need to be overcome.…

Addresses one problem brought about by the confusion around the concept of communicative competence and the communicative approach to second language teaching. Considers the belief that communication, as opposed to language, should be the conceptual center of second language instruction, and then suggests a framework for representing the…

Stresses the importance for language learning of ordinary and familiar situations that bring about dialog between teacher and children. Emphasizes an environment for language learning that is stimulating for the children and that enriches and enhances the linguistic skills they already possess while increasing their expressive skills. (FL)

Current theories about teaching children to read overemphasize use of the left brain hemisphere. Children with a right-hemisphere dominance are likely to experience difficulties unless reading experiences are planned which capitalize on right-brain characteristics: divergent thinking and creative activities, hands-on experiences, and free reading.…

People in the creative arts are no less scholarly, but their scholarly efforts are less quantifiable. A rationale for accepting creative works as scholarly equivalents is developed by examining creativity, the creative process, and the creative product. An historical viewpoint about creativity, creative works, and their social importance is…

Provides a brief history of the craft movement and the American Craft Council. Information available from the American Craft Information Center is described, including bibliographic sources, reference tools, periodicals and indices, exhibition catalogs, craft registry and database, clipping file, education, business, funding, and appraising…

Describes the development and growth of a program at a new York City public elementary school called Growing a Story: A Theatrical Exploration of Imagination for Literacy Enrichment. This arts educational program fosters students' pride of ownership, self-esteem, and interdependence through improvised creation and performance of original…

Focuses on speech act theory and the demands of the multilevel language classroom, noting that special attention should be paid in language classes to what is meant, as distinct from what is said. Using the communicative approach to language teaching and crossing cultural boundaries, cross-cultural conversations are being developed that are…

In order to avoid the early problems of computer assisted instruction and the language lab, and to achieve maximum effectiveness and efficiency of student learning, foreign language teachers need to become proficient in the following three areas: (1) computer literacy; (2) software literacy; and (3) application literacy. (SL)