Describes types of learning and organizational strategies and suggests that pattern noting--a technique to organize information in a relational manner showing linkages between topics--is a powerful organizational strategy. An algorithmic procedure for semantically analyzing pattern notes and various pattern note applications are described.…

Outlines innovations associated with development of a learning environment designed around problem-solving/situation-improving strategies for farming and other agricultural systems at Australia's Hawkesbury Agricultural College. The situation at the school is described; observations and reflections are noted; and conceptualizations and actions for…

Traces development of the problem-based, five-year curriculum of the new medical school at the University of Newcastle (Australia), outlining the events of the three years before it opened and commenting on the experiences of its first year. A timetable of medical problems studied by the students is presented. (Author/JD)

Examines ways in which learning activities can be designed around trigger films--short, high impact vignettes designed to stimulate learning--to enhance their use in situations dealing with affective learning. Illustrates the use of these films in an undergraduate course, and discusses difficulties tutors experience and guidelines for their…

Discusses what it is about home learning that creates a need for study skills improvement and the study skills required for successful home learning (information processing and personal skills, and support strategies). The role and responsibilities of educational technologists in helping learners to acquire effective study skills are considered.…

Discusses learner autonomy in traditional adult education and in adult distance education. Learning strategies are described, the teacher's role in each educational setting is examined, and examples of autonomy learning at a distance are given, one at the University of Surrey and one at the Open University in Great Britain. (32 references) (LRW)

Suggests programming structures of computer assisted instruction for teaching severely learning disabled students be related to an established educational model. Use of performance contoured programming (PCP), based upon behavioral model of precision teaching, is discussed and contrasted with cognitive programming approaches. PCP applications and…

Describes a project designed to determine the instructional effectiveness of Sesame Street French segments with elementary school children and to determine teacher interest in creating their own programs from available segments. Results indicate students learned words and phrases that would not have been learned otherwise. Fourteen references are…

An examination of the origin and content of general systems theory is followed by identification of the major characteristics of systems and brief discussion of use of models. Two ways of applying a systems model are identified and their appropriateness is assessed in relation to particular training circumstances. (55 references). (Author/MBR)

Summarizes findings of a collection of research studies at the University of Aberdeen (Scotland) aiding fundamental understanding of knowledge representation and its applications. Issues arising when a knowledge representation system is incorporated into an authoring language are discussed, including the problems of exteriorization, metacognition,…

Explains how curriculum materials of a modular course in high school microbiology developed for a kibbutz in Israel were disseminated to become part of the national science curriculum. The evolution and development of national and inservice workshops for science teachers to prepare them to teach this course are discussed. (MBR)

Six articles highlight governmental initiatives to encourage staff development in the United Kingdom. The Grant-Related In-Service Training Scheme (GRIST) is described from the perspectives of sponsoring institutions and local education authorities; course approval criteria established by government are reviewed; and teacher education through…

Describes the component parts of interactive video systems and suggests reasons for the increasing popularity of interactive video over other forms of instruction in education and training. A British project is described which is concerned with investigating the potential of interactive video for teaching foreign languages to secondary school…

Describes two microcomputer-assisted adaptations of traditional methods of teaching word recognition (alphabet-spelling method) and phonics (sound-symbol method) which are designed for use with students who have severe physical and communication handicaps, language disabilities, or fine motor problems. A clinical protocol is outlined for…

This description of popular private educational system in Japan, the Kumon Method, focuses on instruction in arithmetic for primary school students. Highlights include the educational philosophy of the system, instructor training, acceptance by parents, and use of the system as a model for educational systems of the future. (LRW)