College instructors should focus their teaching not only on content but also on how to learn content in the context of particular courses. Students need practice with a variety of learning strategies before they can understand why particular ones are most effective or be helped to improve their efficiency in using them. (Author/MSE)

Every college teacher has a professional obligation to formulate and articulate a rationale for his or her instructional world. Faculty members' personal theories about teaching and learning are often implicit and likely to be inaccurate. When implicit theories become explicit, they can blend with formal theories to improve the practice of…

Promotion of an alliance between college teachers and students requires shifting from a perception of the teacher as an agent of student change to that of teacher as partner in the change process. Twenty-five guidelines cover mutual respect, shared responsibility and mutual commitment to goals, effective communication and feedback, cooperation,…

Practical suggestions and application of six principles from cognitive psychology can make learning more efficient now and produce learners who will be more self-sufficient in the future. This means redefining student and teacher roles, organizing the course and content in a way consistent with how learning occurs, and helping students learn how…

The article presents a model of learning based on the four learning stages of (1) acquisition, (2) proficiency, (3) maintenance, and (4) generalization. The importance of directing instruction at the appropriate learning stage is stressed and examples are given. (DB)

Students are motivated to the extent that they initiate and sustain meaningful involvement in learning. Theories of motivation suggest that appropriate attention to college students' needs and expectations for success will enhance their involvement and learning. (Author/MSE)

This article focuses on current theories and practices in educating students with behavioral disorders, including the intrapsychic, psychoeducational, and structured/behavioral models. The history of the field is reviewed and a practical way of viewing behavior from a theoretical perspective is offered, with examples connecting theory and…

Arguing that whole language must assume a more critical edge if it is to reach its potential as a force for positive change, this book calls on educators to take action to protect themselves against threats from within and outside the whole language movement. Noting that the most obvious challenges are from critics who offer simplistic solutions…

This is an introduction to some of the teaching models that have been developed and studied through modern educational research. Some models are designed to accomplish specific objectives, such as teaching students to form and attain concepts; some have generic applications that adapt to a range of learning styles and curriculum areas.…

This handbook, intended for both beginning and experienced practitioners in the field of developmental education and learning assistance, integrates theory and research in order to construct a new model of practice, which focuses not only on students who need help with basic skills or are underprepared but also on high achievers or graduate…

Provides an overview to the "Handbook of Research on Social Studies Teaching and Learning," a project sponsored by the National Council for the Social Studies. Identifies the handbook's organization and major topics. Argues this comprehensive review and analysis of social studies educational research promotes improved research, assists…

This monograph represents 5 years of collaborative discussions among individuals interested in improving the teaching and learning of mathematics beginning in 1985 with the planning of a conference and culminating in the production of this collection of 13 papers to be presented at the conference. Chapters include: (1) an introduction…

Six specific second language learning theories are presented and for each, an example of a practical, classroom application is provided. The theories include the following: (1) it is important to create a positive atmosphere in the classroom because cognitive learning increases when self-concept improves; (2) activities that employ multiple senses…

This paper examines disagreement over how second language learning tasks create conditions needed for language acquisition by exploring and comparing three second language acquisition theories: input-based; output-based; and interactionist. Each theory is described, and some new conclusions are drawn. It is argued that a task should: be…

This paper presents theoretical principles of the whole language approach and its historical interdisciplinary influences. Suggestions for implementing whole language intervention with language-disordered children are presented, such as using theme building to achieve long- and short-term objectives, using scaffolding strategies, and using…