Recent studies using graduate students in one case and first graders in the other reached the same conclusion. If instruction capitalizes on what students already know, they learn more readily and transfer the knowledge well. Teachers can use children's knowledge as a bridge to new knowledge. (MT)

Argues that vocabulary is best taught by helping students experience the meaning of words. Offers research background and four teaching methods to use with intermediate grade students. (FL)

Reports on a study designed to investigate loudness judgments of 30 musician and 30 nonmusician listeners in response to performed dynamic changes within a musical context. Finds that musician subjects indicated a significantly smaller magnitude of dynamic change than did nonmusician subjects. (CFR)

Compares preferential ratings of art music among 100 music majors and 100 nonmusic majors. Finds that music majors' preference ratings were significantly higher than those of the nonmajors. Also finds that Likert-scale ratings of nonmajors using the Continuous Response Digital Interface were higher than those using a static measure. (CFR)

Briefly describes how students use their prior knowledge of conventions in making inferences about literature. Outlines some techniques that could be employed in conducting descriptive research studies to determine what students do or do not know and how that difference affects their response to literature. (RL)

Reports on the effects of tempo direction, listening mode, and level of musical experience on speed and accuracy in tempo change among 160 music majors and nonmajors. Finds that music majors more accurately detected tempo changes than did nonmajors. (CFR)

Difficulties in teaching students whose general knowledge is limited are discussed by a teacher at the Nofe-Golan Regional High School. Suggestions are offered regarding obtaining information about each student, preparing first lessons, student and teacher ground rules, readying students for tests, and special activities. (LB)

A guide for teachers of second language reading offers ideas for using authentic texts as instructional materials. The guide focuses on how to teach students to become strategic readers and use their background knowledge to enhance comprehension. Schema theory is proposed as a framework for approaching reading tasks, by providing relevant pre- and…

The third in a series of volumes of curriculum essays on the concepts, issues, and strategies of community development education and training is presented. Five sections with 20 papers are as follows: (1) introduction: theories, definitions, and origins of experiential education--"Experiential Education for Community Development" (I. Harris, P.…

In view of the importance of recognizing and documenting the prior learning of adult students returning to higher education, a project was undertaken to research, construct a system, and write materials for use in assessing the experiential learning acquired by students seeking access to higher education. An extensive research effort was…

Two college courses, one in literary analysis and one designed to help students apply prior learning, were redesigned to incorporate time for students to tell the class about their own learning experiences. It was found that the narratives enriched faculty and students' understanding and awareness. (MSE)

Presents a case study involving two teaching certification students. Examines how a social studies methods course and a one-year elementary school postbaccalaureate teacher education program influenced students' educational beliefs and practices. Finds influences are partial, differential, and interactive with students' backgrounds and…

The second part of a British study of elementary teacher trainees' economic and industrial understanding is presented. In this segment, student teachers' attitudes toward economic issues and their perceptions of teaching as work are examined, particularly as they affect implementation of the economics portion of the national curriculum. (MSE)

Considers the role of informal networks in securing occupational advantage for graduates of British "public" schools. Discusses the private sector's official view of the situation and the experiences of recent students. Reports that the official view is of a meritocratic situation, whereas individual students believe personal connections…

This Skills and Knowledge Profile is designed to help adults identify the wide range of skills and experience they have and give themselves credit for what they have learned outside school. It can be used for training and education programs, education proposals, and for self-assessment. Using checklists, short-answer formats, and line drawings,…