The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of both formative and summative assessment in Taiwan and the United States. The focus is on the comparisons between undergraduate and graduate students and between U.S. and Taiwanese students in their attitudes toward the use of assessment in higher education. Responses from 349 undergraduate and…

This article demonstrates the importance of school psychologists' understanding of which type of cognitive or developmental measure is most appropriate when working with young children with cerebral palsy (CP). Cognitive profiles vary greatly within this population and motor impairments also need to be taken into consideration. School…

The adoption of setting in the primary school (pupils ability grouped across classes for particular subjects) emerged during the 1990s as a means to raise standards. Recent research based on 8875 children in the Millennium Cohort Study showed that 25.8% of children in Year 2 were set for literacy and mathematics and a further 11.2% of children…

Based on a critical re-analysis of cognitive load theory (CLT), Schnotz and Kurschner identified the need for research on more sensitive ways of assessing learner characteristics, both prior to and during instruction, in order to understand learning processes and outcomes. One emergent theme of the papers in this special issue is that the "same"…

Examined 1,100 boys and 1,100 girls who matched the U.S. population using the Planning, Attention, Simultaneous, Successive (PASS) cognitive-processing theory, built on the neuropsychological work of A.R. Luria (1973). Results illustrate that the PASS theory offers a useful way to examine gender differences in cognitive performance. (BF)

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…

One is best able to teach when familiar with student needs and experiences. Cognitive developmental theory can enhance the "art of teaching" and understanding the cognitive stages of student development can help the advisor appreciate a student's perspective. Cognitive theory is translated into useful advising strategies. (MLW)

Using a question-and-answer format, this article presents information to help schools become more familiar with the concept of learning styles. Students appear to be able to identify their preferences and absorb more in environments that complement their strengths. (DF)

Two statistical indices of distinctness (intensity) were developed to measure patterns of cognitive preference scores. Results indicated a variety of cognitive preferences, and the distinctness variable was shown to be a useful tool in cognitive preference research. (CJ)

Determined developmental level to be a major factor at lower level chemistry courses but not as important for higher level ones. Suggests Lawson's test to be a useful tool in studying the basics of chemical education, evaluating courses as to the appropriate level, and in counseling individual students. (Author/JN)

A reasoning test was administered by all science teachers at a high school. This report presents the results of the test and explains how this information can be used to improve teaching. (BB)

Investigated personality dimensions concomitant with learner's cognitive rigidity. Results indicated the personality dimensions of tenseness, compulsivity, group dependency, absent-mindedness, sensitivity, and emotional stability explained 36 percent of the variability in subjects' increasing levels of cognitive rigidity. Showed a pervasive use of…

Reviews studies (N=35) relating to matching environments to learners. Grouped studies according to their outcome measures into affective, behavioral, and achievement outcomes. Empirical support for the matching principle was found for all three outcomes, but varied from strong support for affective and behavioral criteria to moderate support for…

Kindergarten (n=30) and grade 1 (n=15) students of contrasting socioeconomic backgrounds were interviewed to assess their knowledge of number word sequences and spatial patterns and their ability to recognize numerals and use counting to establish numerosity of visible and screened collections. Findings indicate greater variation in abilities…

Investigated the ability of cognitive, affective, personality, and demographic variables to predict second language acquisition among college students. Student surveys indicated that all four types of variables correlated with foreign language achievement, with a cognitive variable (academic achievement) and an affective variable (foreign language…