This article reviews research on the effects of conversational style on learning. Studies of conversational style have variously investigated "personalization" through changing instances of first-person address to second or third person, including sentences that directly address the learner; including more polite forms of address; and…

Previous research has underlined the importance of school students' engagement in science (including students' attitudes, interests and self beliefs). Engagement in science is important as a correlate of scientific literacy and attainment, and as an educational outcome in its own right. Students positively engaged with science are more likely to…

A model of achievement applicable to learning disabled students is presented which comprises entry characteristics, self-efficacy for learning, task engagement variables, and efficacy cues. Research is summarized on effects of social and instructional variables on self-efficacy and achievement behaviors. Self-efficacy appeared to predict student…

Discusses three major areas in which cognitive psychology and educational technology are affecting instructional design (ID) theory: (1) analysis of information, including content analysis and task analysis; (2) the means of evaluating learners; and (3) linking learning theory with specific instructional strategies through an integrated…

The purpose of this literature review was to determine what evidence there is that instructional designers apply ID Models, as well as to establish what other activities and processes they might use in their professional activities. Only ten articles were located that directly pertained to this topic: seven reporting on empirical research and…

Discussion of how we perceive meaning from graphics highlights a computer simulation model, UCIE (Understanding Cognitive Information Engineering), that simulates graphical perception. An empirical study is described that compared actual performance to UCIE predictions related to the amount of time required to answer a question in various…

The project described in this report was designed to render an in-depth analysis of what has happened to doctorate completion times since 1967, to provide a time-series data base for the period 1967-1986, and to develop a model that explains some of the factors that have caused an elongation to occur. Chapter 1 begins with an examination of how…

Effective curriculum is based on a mastery learning model. According to Carroll's mastery learning model, learning rate is partially a function of student "perseverance" or time on task, which is in turn determined by a learner's entering repertoire and the quality of instruction. Although the mastery-learning model looks simple, its execution is…

Discusses fluency-based instruction based on Skinner's research on response rate measures and Precision Teaching. Topics addressed include learning outcomes associated with fluency; fluency and overlearning; implications for instructional design; examples of fluency-based education and training; and strategies for marketing fluency-based…

Examines factors that affect the successful implementation of integrated learning systems (ILSs). Empirical studies of ILSs are discussed; implementation models are considered; and factors that facilitate or hinder implementation are described, including student time on the system, teacher involvement, integration with the classroom curriculum,…

Variables which affect students' academic motivation, and thus, school learning, are discussed. Recent research has built on the model presented by Carroll in 1963. Research on the following concepts is reviewed: active learning time; academic motivation, significant others; sex of student; context of learning; and affective factors. (GDC)

A review of research and proposed models on classroom processes allows identification of four key characteristics of effective classrooms in elementary and secondary education. The four characteristics encompass (1) teacher attention to student characteristics, including prior learning and learning styles; (2) congruence among the course goals,…

Discusses methods of improving the performance of integrated learning systems (ILSs). Topics addressed include the theoretical basis of ILSs; appropriate level of instruction; academic learning time; motivation; quality of instruction; a study of elementary students' use of ILSs; individualized and homogeneous group activities; mixed-ability…

In order to develop a formula to measure effective schooling and student achievement, a number of reports on excellence in education were reviewed: (1) The National Commission on Excellence in Education's report, "A Nation at Risk"; (2) The Education Commission of the States Task Force on Education for Economic Growth report; (3) The…