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ERIC Number: ED414124
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1997-Nov
Pages: 13
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
The Woods and the Trees: Interpreting Experiential Education for Schools and a Greater Audience.
Allen, Joanna; Hutchinson, John
The branches of experiential education are many, but they all derive from a common philosophy and approach to learning that values hands-on experiences and centers on the learner. Encouraging the broader implementation of experiential learning requires that the field be interpreted to initiates down to its roots. In the case of whole-school change, a critical mass of staff must not only understand not only how to carry out experiential strategies, but also believe in the principles and grounding philosophy. The story of Fullerton Elementary in Baltimore County, Maryland, demonstrates the successful implementation of experiential education starting with the whole-school adoption of its principles. Important elements in the school's adoption of experiential principles included crafting and refining a mission statement; teacher acceptance and participation promoted through team-building activities, peer coaching, and teacher-developed staff development sessions; parent involvement in school activities and in the school improvement team; and student involvement in experiential activities and community service. Fullerton's experiential approach has produced many positive changes, including improved student learning and test scores and improved school attitude among both students and teachers. (Author/SV)
Publication Type: Reports - Descriptive; Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A