Teacher-educator and researcher Daniel L. Kohut suggests in "Musical Performance: Learning Theory and Pedagogy" that there are many problems that result from the way music teachers often teach. Most teachers focus on the process, not the goal. The Natural Learning Process that Kohut advocates is the same process that young children use when they…

The purpose of teaching is to create opportunities for students to learn, and to support and evaluate the learning process as it unfolds. Professional middle-level teachers assume multiple roles in this process. Effective teachers are apt instructors who plan and implement lessons and evaluate student learning. The best teachers set high…

The need for cognitive style mapping and student grouping in order to enhance learning and retention in foreign language instruction is examined. The four components of classical audio-lingual language instruction, listening, speaking, reading, and writing, are discussed. Different learning modalities are considered, including visual, auditory,…

This paper addresses many theories of learning and human development which are very similar with regards as to how they suggest learning occurs. The differences in most of the theories exist in how they treat the development of the learner compared to methods of teaching. Most of the major learning theories taught to educators today are based on…

Discusses research supporting the contention that listening fluency should be taught first and oral response delayed because languaqe acquisition takes place without any overt performance. Includes extensive bibliographic references. (PMJ)

Concentrating on linguistic and logical-mathematical intelligence in elementary school classrooms ignores the dominant strengths of most children, who may possess alternative spatial, bodily kinesthetic, interpersonal, or intrapersonal intelligence. Explains how elementary teachers can transform "dysteachea" into learning strategies for…

The authors refute attempts to reject modality based instruction for reading disabled students. They suggest that although no incontestible evidence justifies modality based instruction, further research on the issue should be conducted. J. Kampworth responds by emphasizing the lack of conclusive data. (CL)

Intended to help dispel several unsupported "myths" about reading instruction, this book analyzes a selected group of teaching practices that have been supported by reading experts but not by research findings. The "myths" discussed in the first 12 chapters of the book are as follows: (1) phonics hinders comprehension; (2) unpredictable spelling…

A reply from Barbe and Milone to Dunn and Carbo concerning the latter's comments about their research on modality strengths and preferences. (MLF)

This article challenges current assumptions about the teaching and assessment of critical thinking in the composition classroom, particularly the practice of measuring critical thinking through individual written texts. Drawing on a case study of a class that incorporated disability studies discourse, and applying discourse analysis to student…

This speech presents a case for "joining hands" as the educational theme of the 1980s. In "joining hands" with their students, schools need to abandon assembly-line models of instruction in order to adopt learning and teaching styles that nurture students' inner potential and provide for individual differences of both teachers…

Educators have three approaches to learning styles: focusing on the individual, using comprehensive models to adapt instruction to major learning differences, and identifying key elements of an individual's learning style and matching instruction and materials to these differences. One controversial aspect of learning styles is the use of…

Discusses the multi-modal approach to basic-level reading instruction and methods by which the teaching of reading skills can take place in a multi-modal context. Identifies the philosophical view of adult reading-skill acquisition which serves as the foundation of the program. (JOW)

Argues for learning communities as a fruitful milieu for cognitive development and knowledge construction. Provides a metaphor of a constructivist learning community organization grounded on French scientist and philosopher Pierre Teilhard de Chardin's theory of evolution. Asserts that Teilhardian thought is useful for conceptualizing a…

A continuation of the exploration of the various ways that knowledge and insight are achieved. Explains that even instruction in basic skills can benefit from this appreciation. Provides descriptions of classroom activities that demonstrate how the various modes of knowing can be used for conceptual exploration. (FL)