Exemplar-based learning requires: (1) a segmentation procedure for identifying the units of past experiences that a present experience can be compared to, and (2) a similarity function for comparing these past experiences to the present experience. This article argues that for a learner to learn a language these two mechanisms will require…

This article reviews two aspects of human learning: (1) people draw inferences that appear to rely on hierarchical conceptual representations; (2) some categories are much easier to learn than others given the same number of exemplars, and some categories remain difficult despite extensive training. Both of these results are difficult to reconcile…

This article by David Aldridge concerns the promise of knowledge "insertion." The promise can be elucidated as follows: knowledge could be inserted by a less time-consuming (and possibly in many senses less expensive) technological process than traditional learning, whereby, for example, some relatively swift procedure of implanting or…

Bhatt and Quinn (2011) provide a compelling and comprehensive review of empirical evidence that supports the operation of principles of perceptual organization in young infants. They also have provided a comprehensive list of experiences that could serve to trigger the learning of at least some of these principles of perceptual organization, and…

Experiential learning has been a foundational tenant of agricultural education since its inception. However, the theory of experiential education has received limited attention in the permanent agricultural education literature base. As such, this philosophical manuscript examined Kolb's experiential learning process further, and considered the…

Professors are professional learners. Research, inquiry, and discussion among colleagues all serve to broaden their knowledge. But even experienced teachers can benefit from becoming actual students in a classroom. There is nothing like sitting in a classroom facing the board and scrambling to translate someone else's lecture into coherent notes,…

Discusses factors which determine the quality of learning experiences. The author hypothesizes that there are learning rhythms which must be present in a balanced way for a Peak Learning Experience (PLE) to occur. Learner readiness can be stimulated by a teacher, increasing chances for a PLE. (JOW)

Learning to read and write is a psycholinguistic and social process. That is why mother-tongue speakers of minority African languages find learning to read in the language they speak is a qualitatively better learning experience than learning to read in a language they are unfamiliar with. However, reading methodologies used for teaching reading…

Two issues central to the production of cognitive conflict in the computer environment are discussed. The first one focuses on the use of simulations versus real-world experiences, and the second is directed at the potential for incidental and spontaneous learning versus controlled learning with the computer. (CT)

Counseling is one of the processes through which men and women may learn to take increasing responsibility for their self-creation as they apply what they learn in classrooms and elsewhere to their life-planning. Counseling is a learning process. Each person is in the process of creating his or her own life; this process will be enhanced by high…

Community college students (unless cognitively or emotionally impaired) have an innate learning system or process which makes it possible to do abstract and critical thinking in all their classes. Over an 8-year period, informal research has been conducted with approximately 1,000 low- and high-achieving students, and faculty in classrooms,…

This article deals with the claim that teaching is an art. The particular view of art held by Heidegger is explored in an effort to find the meaning of art and of teaching. (CJ)

Six museum education and learning researchers discuss the need to study how people learn and behave in museums and what kind of current research studies should be undertaken. Mary Ellen Munley, in "Back to the Future: A Call for Coordinated Research Programs in Museums," describes the differences between the terms…

Presents points relevant to learning skills in the areas of observation and perception. Indicates that a knowledge of the categories into which stimuli may be sorted may provide a framework for perception. The interpretation of perception is based on preciously learned knowledge, intellectual skills and cognitive strategies, and mental set. (GS)

Argues that mutual trust and understanding between teacher and learner are essential to a beneficial learning experience. What students learn depends on their interpretation of the experience, and attempts to control learning result in undesirable side effects. Congruity of external and internal evaluations is a significant consideration…