In this issue, Cavanaugh, Giapponi, and Golden (2016) have discussed the new prominent role of digital devices in the lives of students; the possible impact of these widely-used technologies on developing, learning minds; and the relevance of new cognitive neuroscience research and technologies for better understanding the potential effects of…

In an accompanying study, Alibali et al. [Alibali, M. W., Ockuly, K. M., Fischer, A. D. (2009) "Learning new problem-solving strategies leads to changes in problem representation." "Cognitive Development, 24," 89-101.] present an important experimental result: introducing a new strategy can affect conceptual aspects of children's problem…

Considers how preceding articles by Jansen and van der Maas, and Halford et al., contribute to understanding of how rule use can be best assessed, how systematic rule use can be reconciled with variable rule use, when children begin to use rules, and how children generate new rules. Summarizes current understanding of development of knowledge…

Argues that saying that students have "thinking problems" is hardly a useful diagnostic statement or even a sensible description of flawed cognitive development. Maintains that what is needed to encourage students to think are some sensible models and attractive opportunities to do it in contexts that matter to them. (RS)

The introductory article to the special issue on facilitating cognitive development considers individual and social roles in cognitive development, the role of the human mediator, development as an increasingly self regulated process, and types of programs which provide instruction in cognitive strategies. (DB)

Responds to James Catterall's article "Does Experience in the Arts Boost Academic Achievement: A Response to Eisner." Contends that Catterall does not support his claims concerning the relationship of the arts to academic achievement; instead, Eisner maintains that Catterall is actually examining the contributions of the arts to cognitive…

Presents the first four of nine strategies that students can use to develop their critical thinking skills: using "wasted time" to practice critical thinking; choosing a problem at the beginning of each day to work on; developing a heightened awareness of universal intellectual standards; and writing journal entries each week that analyze…

Discusses a variety of lessons that one teacher learned from reading the story John Wain's "A Message from Pig-Man." Describes the central importance of story or anecdote as a means of groping toward a recognition of oneself and one's experiences. (JD)

This paper presents a cognitive theoretical framework for the learning of mathematics which has generic implications for other disciplines. The framework has been developed using a combination of established theories about learning and the authors' research into the understanding of some specific types of learning. It is based on the integration…

This response to a critique (EC 609 161) of the authors' original paper (EC 609 160) on cognitive strategies in children with mental retardation answers specific points raised and makes explicit the theoretical issues underlying their work, including the strategy deficiency hypothesis of mental retardation, developmental issues in strategy…

Explores how a developmental framework can be used in teaching college students learning strategies. Suggests that a developmental framework can add to educators' effectiveness in assessing students' needs and providing appropriate instruction, as well as in showing them how to help students acquire academic literacy and learning strategies that…

The growing move to reintegrate special education within the general education system forms the background and rationale for this paper's proposals. Discussion includes the suggestion that general education students can benefit from explicit instruction in learning strategies which have been primarily used with only learning disabled students.…

Suggests that Kuhn's study reported in this issue (PS 524 345) offers insight into how people make casual inferences, and raises important questions about these processes. (JW)

Responds that questions of study by Kuhn and others (PS 524 345) in this issue were motivated by concerns about the role of scientific thinking in general thinking, not in development of scientific reasoning. Study was meant to increase understanding of role of strategies in development, not provide definitive explanation of how strategies fit…

The factors underlying memory performance in learning are shown to be affected by strategic processing and by automatic processing. Strategic processing is under the conscious control and effort of the learner while automatic processing is dependent on the strength of associations between new concepts and known concepts in a given domain.…