In this article, the author writes from the perspective of a community college research practitioner, an institutional researcher whose daily work is intended primarily to affect policies, procedures and understanding of student learning and institutional effectiveness. The audience for this work is composed of faculty, administrators, staff,…

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)

Modular laboratories provide technology education students with valuable experiences, but they are not the total solution. Technology education can aid problem solving, technological literacy, and school-wide curriculum integration, but not within the limits of the modular environment. (JOW)

Learning centers are student centered. That is, instructional goals are matched to learner needs and desires and student learning is self-paced. Teachers coordinate the learning process while students explore and experiment with learning materials. The learning center has several advantages over the traditional classroom: (1) it is success…

The comment starts with a review of the authors' four phase model of SRL as metacognitive, motivated, and strategic where it is suggested to complete the model with aspects of motivation, emotion, and attribution. Furthermore, integrating theories about "online motivation" within the model's internal regulatory part and framing it with elements of…

Experiential learning packages help learners effectively attain affective, empathetic, interactive, and complex cognitive objectives, and unlearn undesirable cognitive prejudices and affective anxieties. They are recommended for vocational education in the helping professions and in instructional situations that involve internships. The beginning…

This third in a series of edited transcripts based on a conference at Utah State University describes Merrill's Component Design Theory (CDT) and compares it to his earlier Component Display Theory. Topics discussed include concept structures, knowledge acquisition, components of an instructional design system, and a new CDT matrix. (10…

In fall 1987, the Learning to Learn Subcommittee was formed at Miami-Dade Community College (M-DCC) to help design a formal course in teaching/learning theory, to identify effective student behaviors and teaching strategies to develop critical thinking skills, and to identify strategies to implement the "learning to learn" concept across all…

A discussion of the use of thematic modules in content-based second language instruction argues that the approach has a number of advantages over others. Thematic modules are defined as longer than lessons and shorter than a course, and it is suggested that in a content-based approach, the module constitutes the basic unit of study. Content-based…

The use of the instructional module in college teaching is discussed. The module is an independent learning package that emphasizes students' learning activities rather than teacher activities. Along with independent modular activities such as reading, writing, discussing, and problem solving, students can use more class time to write, inquire,…

Argues that a course-syllabus design based on grammatical structures is more effective in developing communicative skills than the use of "projects" leading to the establishment of a threshold level. (IFS/WGA)

A discussion of the need to adapt college instruction to the rapid rate of change in science covers learning theories and the use of modular curricula, whose development has been facilitated by computers and advances in artificial intelligence. (MSE)

Discussion of student control of learning focuses on tutorial computer-assisted learning (CAL). Modular course design is discussed, learning styles and the influence of CAL are described, and skills needed by students to use tutorial CAL effectively are examined, including note taking, using summaries and worksheets, and problem solving. (16…

Discusses a modular curriculum funded by an initiative known as "Enterprise in Higher Education" (EHE). EHE is dedicated to promoting an exchange of ideas between the worlds of work and education with the goal of encouraging the development of a curriculum geared to producing students for careers in industry and commerce. (CK)

Describes a study of teacher education students at West Virginia University that was conducted to determine the effects of a computer-awareness learning module, instructional format, and prior computer use on computer anxiety. The relationships among performance, computer anxiety, and prior experience are also discussed. (Contains 12 references.)…