The "Back to Basics" movement is compared with the humanistic or affective approach to education. A return to basics would set the stage for an active teacher, shaping a passive student. Affective education, in contrast, considers helping a student learn to be a person as more central and more basic than the acquisition of skills and habits. If…

The analysis of interaction among students is becoming very important in mathematics education, especially among the scholars who view knowledge as socially constructed and negotiated. One of the features of human interaction is the roles that people perform while interacting. Using a symbolic interactionist perspective, we analyzed the evolution…

This discussion of the interrelationship between libraries and learning focuses on the development of university libraries. Changing attitudes toward students' involvement in the learning process and expanding curricula are cited as reasons for the growth of university libraries. The professionalization of librarianship and increased participation…

A study of the attitudes of 673 public elementary teachers toward mainstreaming educable mentally retarded (EMR) students measured four aspects: the role of the EMR student in the mainstreaming process, the role of the EMR teacher in the mainstreaming process, the role of the elementary teacher in the mainstreaming process, and general…

This paper argues that the creation of communities of literacy practice in classrooms can contribute to students' development of learnings of and about language, literacy, and texts. Such development can occur when literacy learning is seen as a social practice shaped by complex and dynamic participants and events. In these communities,…

One of Matt Groening's popular cartoons offers two different perspectives regarding the purpose and value of formal education in America: "Bongo's" belief that a good education must consist of an engaging classroom environment and proper emotional, intellectual, and structural resources; and "Bongo's" father's belief that a…

This paper explores the roles students play in support of technology in elementary classrooms. In this ethnographic study, new models for support were developed by examining support for technology and the use of technology in three third and fourth grade classes. Data were collected through teacher interviews, informal conversations, observations…

This paper explores how individuals develop their personal definitions of teaching and learning and how that translates into the classroom. The literature on psychological and educational research suggests that human thinking and communication are profoundly metaphorical in nature. If this is true, metaphors can play a valuable role in revealing,…

Since the introduction of child-centered thinking in educational research, discussion has continued on whether the purpose of public schools is to teach students predetermined, set subject matter or to allow them more control over their education. Traditionalists have asserted that scientific methodology must be used to develop learning…

David Bartholomae and Anthony Petrovsky's book "Ways of Reading" creates a paradox for readers, for a primary thesis of the book is that there should be no standard or traditional readings to which a new reader must conform. A successful reader will interrogate and dispute the text at every turn. The book's organization mirrors the…

This paper addresses how educators can encourage elementary-age children to develop critical thinking skills and creativity while also meeting educational standards and maintaining learning goals. The paper notes that a comprehensive curriculum: (1) honors the role of all participantsteachers, children, and parents; (2) engages children in…

This discussion of the potential roles of learners and instructors as they affect the learning environment argues that the roles of teachers and learners are the key issues rather than learning styles. It begins by discussing the roles of learners as receivers, detectives (problem solvers), generators (developers of new ideas), and facilitators…

This paper describes the language training courses provided by the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) to government employees and their dependents, focusing on the use of experiential language learning and "bridging" classroom study to practical applications. Bridges are an important part of the FSI training program not only because they…

Proposing the meeting of student and curriculum as a dialogue, this paper explores that meeting as an active participation in which students both "hear" the voice of the curriculum and "speak" to it. The paper argues that for such a dialogue to occur, each participant's language must have not only ideas to share and questions…

The emerging economic paradigm of higher education will make enhancing national productivity the primary goal; emphasize the mastery of learning skills over rote learning; and operate around the principle of customer service, viewing students as customers. Total Quality Management (TQM), as applied to education, shares this focus on customer…