A research project was designed to test two hypotheses concerning the teaching of music notation: (1) the overhead projector would prove superior to the chalkboard as a teaching aid; and (2) the use of the overhead projector would cause students to retain knowledge better and score higher on standardized music tests. The study involved 93 students…

This chapter outlines the measurement and interpretation of cognitive style using the conceptual structure of Educational Cognitive Style and the Educational Sciences developed by Dr. Joseph Hill and others. The measurement and interpretation of 36 aspects of cognitive style are discussed, as well as the use of cognitive style mapping (the graphic…

Presents study results comparing the cognitive profiles of kindergarten and first-grade Japanese and Canadian students. Explains that the test used measured a full range of individual differences in the development of children's general cognitive skills. Suggests that higher Japanese performance may be related to home-based factors, preschool…

Investigates the effect that manipulation of the extent of formal reasoning required for solving chemistry problems has upon student performance, and presents a cognitive model for the qualitative analysis of that effect. Concludes that the developmental level of students is the most important predictor of problem-solving success given significant…

Reports on a study into first grade student's interpretations of the equals sign in different contexts. Argues that varying situations affect students' understanding of such arithmetic concepts, including the social interaction patterns in the classroom during arithmetic instruction. (TW)

Some science educators who are interested in conceptual development have considered the phenomenon of student misconceptions and alternative frameworks. Researchers have used a variety of terms to describe the situation in which students' ideas differ from those of a scientist about a particular concept. This digest was produced to briefly…

When administered to 34 infants with handicaps, Bayley Scale mental age scores were an average of 2.1 months higher than Estimated Developmental Ages (EDA's) calculated from the Uzgiris and Hunt Scales. The EDA's were significantly and positively related to Bayley mental age, and sensorimotor play emerged as the best single correlate. (Author/JDD)

While logical reasoning skills are related to success in science, the relationship between thought and formal logic is not clear. Propositional Logic Test (PLT), error patterns of students' interpretations of logical proposition, and developmental patterns of the error type are described. Examined is the relationship between logical reasoning…

Two studies on cognitive performance in mentally retarded children are reported. In the first study, the Bayley Scales of Infant Development were administered to 56 mentally retarded children, aged 2 to 6, to determine the possibility of discerning subsets of items that form a developmental pattern of interrelated subscales, using the SCAMMO scale…

Administrator development programs are multiplying, yet little is known of their effects. If instruction is meant to produce cognitive, affective, and psychomotor changes in participants, inservice programs should duplicate that process--and, by extension, improve schools. Two instruments in each of four areas (cognitive , affective, psychomotor,…

Down Syndrome children (N=229), aged 1-83 months, from Australia, Canada, and Germany were tested using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development. Test performances on the Bayley's Mental and Motor scales were not dissimilar, leading to the conclusion that young Down Syndrome children from different countries with relatively comparable standards of…

This paper describes a study designed to investigate the development of scientific reasoning or logical thinking patterns of South Korean secodary school students. The scientific reasoning or logical thinking patterns were categorized into patterns of logic such as seriation, combinations, proportion, control of variables, probability, and…

Reports on a study that examined the differential effectiveness of traditional and discovery methods of chemistry instruction in Zambia. Compared were the teaching of science concepts, understandings about science, and scientific attitudes to learners at the concrete and formal levels of cognitive development. (TW)

More than 1,600 middle school students, including an experimental group exposed to the Biological Science Curriculum Study (BSCS), were administered the Modified Nature of Scientific Knowledge Scale. Results indicate that the students utilizing the traditional science curriculum possessed a significantly better understanding of the testable nature…

This paper gives a description of a videotape used with inservice teachers as a model for demonstrating the clinical interviewing technique. It describes what is seen on the tape, as well as the child's and interviewer's comments and reactions. It also describes the plan and purpose of the interviewer's questions and outlines the process that…