More applied research is needed on the education and treatment of hearing-impaired persons. Such research should be purpose-oriented, provide applicable knowledge to the profession, and be highly pragmatic. Quality applied research uses direct observation, measures socially important behaviors in natural settings, and focuses on generality of…

Effective teaching practices identified through research stress the search for meaning and can therefore serve as a foundation for teaching thinking, despite grade-level and subject matter differences in content, teacher role, engagement time, and outcomes sought. Effective teaching is structured, interactive, and conducted in a positive learning…

Presents eight ideas for classroom activities for improving reading comprehension, all of which are based on recent research findings. (FL)

This sourcebook synthesizes findings from studies on school improvement programs. The prefatory overview emphasizes key themes and issues addressed in the seven papers that comprise the body of the document, discusses the role of staff development, and examines the process of translating research into policy. The papers summarize the findings of…

This review discusses instructional materials as the physical media through which the intents of the curriculum are experienced. Studies of innovative science curricula are considered, as well as the role of textbooks. (MNS)

Describes various new computer graphic display capabilities (e.g., animation of graphics and text, direct manipulation of on-screen graphics elements) and reviews relevant literature that could assist in determining how these new capabilities could be used effectively in computer assisted instruction applications. (Author/MBR)

Research identifies two interrelated memories--one that retains facts and symbols and one that retains motor and problem-solving skills. These and other findings challenge educators to determine what students should memorize, to help them move from random memorization to creating useful concepts, and to teach students to use memory in problem…

Studies that have questioned how children best demonstrate their ability to discriminate pitch are discussed, and practical applications of the findings are examined. One specific performance-based response that is not necessarily a good indicator of ability to discriminate pitch is singing. (RM)

Discusses changes in educational research methods over recent decades. Explores changing views of teaching and learning and what the changes mean for assessment and the content and delivery of the curriculum. Concludes that, to be effective, educational research must be relevant to education and perceived as such by educators. (SG)

This literature review finds that efforts since the 1950s to develop research-based selection tools for recruiting direct-care staff to work with people with developmental disabilities have not been successful. However, researchers have identified practices that can reduce staff turnover, such as articulating the mission and improving human…

Experimental studies conducted since 1980 were reviewed. Each of the 34 studies concerning problem solving is briefly summarized, followed by comments, criticisms, and/or concerns. A summary indicates that experimental research of the 1980s seems to focus on: (1) children's processes, understanding, functioning, difficulties, and representations;…

The purpose of this paper is to provide educators with information about mathematics anxiety. The focus is on characteristics, causes, and possible solutions for victims of this disorder. The first section of the paper provides a statement of the problem defines the purpose, organization, and limitations of the study, and includes a glossary. The…

Recent advances in theory and research provide a basis for defining higher-order thinking skills and for designing tests of such skills. (MCG)

This monograph serves two purposes: (1) to stimulate further reflection and discussion among education leaders and policymakers to revitalize and strengthen the role that school leaders play in school reform; and (2) to assist researchers in identifying areas of future work. It synthesizes some of the most current literature pertinent to…

This paper translates research findings on systematic preference assessment with individuals with nonsymbolic or limited symbolic communication skills into guidelines for planning such assessments to reduce the risk of missing or misinterpreting the person's preferences. It offers four questions for guiding the planning of preference assessments,…