WeiWei Yang, in her forum piece, raises two main criticisms of the authors' "TQ" article on grammatical complexity: "The study the authors conducted [1] is not capable of answering development-related questions and [2] is mathematically questionable" (Yang, 2013, p. 190). In addition, Yang's article has a third goal that is not explicitly…

The article focuses on how the present vocational education and training (VET) system in Australia might be modified to better accommodate possible VET futures change. It begins with the premise that VET's role is to contribute to skills acquisition through "formal" education and training. The authors propose a simple VET futures role…

In their comment on the tolerance-noise covariation (TNC) method for decomposing variability by H. Muller and D. Sternad (2003, 2004b), J. B. J. Smeets and S. Louw show that covariation (C), as defined within the TNC method, is not invariant with respect to coordinate transformations and contend that it is, therefore, meaningless. Although the…

Kinesiology has a long and storied tradition and history. The growth of our discipline and what might be called our subdisciplines has been the shining achievement of the 1970-2006 era, spurred on by Henry's (1964) call for an academic discipline. In this short thought paper, we argue that we have lost sight of the discipline in a quest to become…

The validity and reliability of methods for assessing nonformal learning are influenced by the type of knowledge being measured, which in turn influences assessment criteria. Satisfactory methods must consider the specific character of nonformal learning. (SK)

In this article, the author expresses concern that phonemic awareness is being viewed as a skill that is taught, rather than an ability that children develop as they become literate. Research has found that as children begin to read and write, phonemic awareness and knowledge of phonics develop gradually and simultaneously. In this paper, the…

Recent research has demonstrated that social skills training can be successful in bringing about enduring gains in unpopular children's sociometric status among peers. Further progress in promoting social competence in peer relations will depend upon the development of a framework for conceptualizing the process components underlying social…

Suggests that although "learning to learn" has become part of the skills agenda, it actually involves far greater depth of personal development than skill development alone. Discussion of personal development and academic assessment leads to identification of related issues of power, knowledge, involvement, and design. (Author/DB)

Research in assessment and intervention with developmentally disabled children has led to important advances in recent years. This article identifies conceptual and practical issues important to the process of behavioral assessment, and presents a framework for the behavioral assessment of the developmentally disabled, with special emphasis on…

Describes learning environments, including cognitive flexibility hypertexts, anchored instruction, and computer-supported intentional learning environments. A brief history of educational technology is presented; and problems with open learning environments are discussed, including inappropriate learning theory, deficient metacognitive skills, and…

Contends that the real problem in using the Internet is information evaluation and validation. Identifies three types of websites that cause social studies teachers concern: Hate Sites, Dumb Sites, and Conspiratory Sites. Provides guidelines that students can use when evaluating these types of online information. (CMK)

Discusses the integration of videodisc technology into classrooms and presents criteria for evaluating the interactivity of videodiscs. Three levels of interactive videodiscs (IVD) are described, and a criteria checklist is included that evaluates skill development, simulation, feedback, the interaction of the student manual with the electronic…

When one instructor teaches a course called "Communication and Critical Thinking," he uses Josina Makau's book "Reasoning and Communication: Thinking Critically about Arguments" (1990), which maintains that critical thinking requires training. Case methodology can be used for training, not exclusively but as an alternative to…

In order to demonstrate how course content can be adapted so that thinking skills are included in the learning experience, this paper uses a unit of study from theater history as a basis for examining how subject matter can be structured with learning objectives, a study guide, a hypothetical problem situation, instructions, and feedback. The…

This summary report of the annual conference includes statements of participant concerns prepared for the planning committee, the keynote address on the impact of mass media on education by Nicholas Johnson with responses by Minaruth Galey and Jon Dunn, and reports from the groups which studied the seven subtopics identified in general sessions:…