Acker demonstrates eloquently that Freinet's pedagogy of authentic experience, developed early in the 20th century, is still relevant. -- Michael Molenda, Associate Professor Emeritus, Indiana University Victor Acker brings to life the work and achievements of an extraordinary French educator, Celestin Freinet, who, between World Wars I and II, gave voice to thousands of children in largely remote locations through the use of school printing presses, school journals, and inter-scholastic exchanges. The communication fostered across schools and national boundaries was a forerunner of the Internet that now links students and their teachers around the world. What distinguishes the pedagogy of this pioneeringeducator is the use of communication technologies to encourage child-centered discovery and group learning that celebrated local cultural and community life while acquainting students with the awe-inspiring diversity of previously distant and unknown worlds-even though they may have been but one region away in the same country. Professor Acker's scholarship is noteworthy for its degree of thoroughness in documenting the evolution, extent, and impact of maestro Celestin's life work that has remained largely unknown outside France. This volume plus the earlier more biographical one by Acker have done the international education community a great service by providing historical and comparative perspectives on an educator whose vision and pedagogical method -- Robert F. Arnove, Chancellor's Professor Emeritus of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN Victor Acker brings to life the work and achievements of an extraordinary French educator, Celestin Freinet, who, between World Wars I and II, gave voice to thousands of children in largely remote locations through the use of school printing presses, school journals, and inter-scholastic exchanges. The communication fostered across schools and national boundaries was a forerunner of the Internet that now links students and their teachers around the world. What distinguishes the pedagogy of this pioneering educator is the use of communication technologies to encourage child-centered discovery and group learning that celebrated local cultural and community life while acquainting students with the awe-inspiring diversity of previously distant and unknown worlds-even though they may have been but one region away in the same country. Professor Acker's scholarship is noteworthy for its degree of thoroughness in documenting the evolution, extent, and impact of maestro Celestin's life work that has remained largely unknown outside France. This volume plus the earlier more biographical one by Acker have done the international education community a great service by providing historical and comparative perspectives on an educator whose vision and pedagogical methods are particularly relevant to those who view schooling as an agency for forming active, critical citizens who are concerned with the welfare of all on this globe. -- Robert F. Arnove, Chancellor's Professor Emeritus of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
