Education & Pedagogy

Movement is essential to the physical and cognitive development of young children. Developmentally appropriate dance and movement activities at preschools and elementary schools in Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska are described, along with connections between movement and literacy and numeracy instruction. (SV)

Examines often unrecognized religious assumptions implicit in John Dewey's social philosophy that affected his definition of democracy and influenced his idea of education. Asserts that without an awareness of these religious assumptions, neither Dewey's social philosophy nor his educational theory can be properly understood.(PGS)

Graduation criteria and syllabi from 10 agricultural teacher education programs were analyzed. Common content areas included teaching methods, program and curriculum planning, experiential activities, foundations, and technology. Few had separate courses on Future Farmers of America advising or supervised agricultural experience management. (SK)

Analysis of 18 worker education programs in several countries found that constraints of neoliberal globalization (funding, university-union relations, lack of grassroots outreach) outweigh enablers (commitment, technology, political changes, increased consciousness). Although constraints hamper union challenges to transnational corporations, the potential for a golden age of worker education exists. (SK)

Provides a description of the growing public policy of national and community service as a solution to the declining health of the United States. Addresses how religious education and community service can enrich each other. (CMK)

Examines collage as a symbolic activity in early childhood education. Finds that collage is used in a number of ways by young children and, in addition to being a manipulative and expressive activity, there appears to be a general progression toward incorporating symbolic elements in their collages. (CMK)

Considers biodiversity a controversial issue in the education of students 11-18 years of age in schools, particularly as it relates to science education. Features a study of teachers' attitudes and approaches to biodiversity in the United Kingdom which was undertaken using participatory appraisal methods with focus groups of teachers. (Author/SAH)

Responds to the articles, available in this issue of Arts Education Policy Review, included in the Symposium on "The Quiet Evolution: Changing the Face of Arts Education." Articles by E. Louis Lankford, Michael Fullan, Martin Schiralli, and W. Dwaine Greer. (CMK)

Discusses connections between global education and interdisciplinary teaching and learning, cooperative learning, active learning, and authentic assessment at the middle school level. Considers differences between multicultural education and the broader scope of global education to include international events and interactions among cultures throughout the world. (JPB)

Special education entitlements have helped public schools serve everyone, provided an appropriate education and improved postsecondary outcomes for disabled children, placed well-trained specialists in schools, benefited nondisabled students in regular settings, supported parent participation, and helped schools identify disabling conditions. (MLH)

Discusses the need for the accreditation of distance education higher education programs to ensure quality learning experiences. Topics include faculty involvement in the development and teaching of courses; control of the curriculum; lack of quality research; and research needs, including moving away from descriptive studies. (Contains 2 references.) (LRW)

Reports on three workshops offering copyright education for library and computer services staff and administrators. Topics covered included: copyright (e.g., the Copyright Act of 1976 and classroom teaching); digital distance education issues (application of fair use to on-line teaching); and compliance (under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act). (DB)

Discusses three trends in teacher education: mastery learning; strategic teaching; and narrative awakening, analyzing them by deconstructing their discourse and looking for inner contradictions. The article explains how mass educational concepts, even positive ones, can stifle individual growth, responsibility, and difference, and it discusses the future of reflective trends in teacher education. (SM)

Argues that British educational policy will benefit if it engages with the challenges of commutarian debates. Introduces and reviews the meaning of commutairanism and explores the implications for some education policies in England and Wales particularly focusing on the role of schools in values education. (Contains references.) (CMK)

Discussion of internationalization in higher education in Europe finds that although the major forces are still predominantly national, the internationalization process impacts individual institutions through growing pressures for diversity, increasing popularity of managerialism, and compliance with policies of the European Commission, which seem to favor de-nationalization of higher education. (DB)