Describes an information retrieval system component that taps into the expertise of users by automatically drawing conclusions from actual search behavior about possible thesaurus entries. The processes of knowledge acquisition, explicit or implicit confirmation by users, knowledge verification, and generation of final results are discussed.…

A 10-day seminar of 30 graduate and undergraduate students from 16 countries explored methods for building cross-cultural understanding and developing personal leadership skills through using the Kolb learning cycle to learn about other cultures. (DB)

Challenges Smolensky's theory that human intuitive/nonconscious cognitive processes can only be accurately explained in terms of subsymbolic computations in artificial neural networks. Symbolic learning models of two cognitive tasks involving nonconscious acquisition of information are presented: learning production rules and artificial finite…

Dispels some discouraging myths about authentic learning's context, mastery, originality, entertainment value, and task complexity. The main point is to let students encounter and master situations that resemble real life, which has its tedious and unengaging moments. Educators should work toward more (rather than complete) authenticity, exploit…

Describes a connectionist, or neural network, model of musical learning that can be used to explain research by Harold Fiske in musical pattern discrimination that shows that the identification of tonal and rhythmic relationships between patterns requires varying amounts of reaction time. Discusses the model's importance for music education. (DSK)

Examines query-oriented versus document-oriented information retrieval and feedback learning. Highlights include a reunification of the two approaches for probabilistic document retrieval and for vector space model (VSM) retrieval; learning in VSM and in probabilistic models; multi-dimensional scaling; and ongoing field studies. (LRW)

Describes a cost-benefit analysis study that resulted in unfavorable financial outcomes and discusses how this result became a learning opportunity for human-performance development/performance-improvement professionals in the organization. Considers failure in organizations and learning from failure. (Author/LRW)

Addresses psychological and anthropological views of situated learning by focusing on the concept of a learning relationship and uses it in a conceptual framework for designing learning technology. Discusses communities of practice, and emphasizes social identification as a central aspect of learning which should influence the design of learning…

Observes that the tendency to question pushes some gifted students toward self-directed inquiry and supports their academic talent. Considers ways to nurture all students, especially the ones who don't question much on their own. Explores the author's experience in guiding her students toward becoming self-directed learners and guiding them to…

Discussion of the affective domain, learning, and motivation focuses on serious play as a suitable goal for situations requiring learners, both children and adults, to engage in creative higher-order thinking coupled with intense personal commitment and involvement. Suggests that interactive computer games offer opportunities to support serious…

Describes an empirical study which considered the different ways in which 26 university teachers intended to constitute a subject, how they then taught the subject, and how consistent their intentions and practice were. Considers the context of teaching and learning and the influence of conceptual change on teachers. (Author/LRW)

Presents a biography of John Seely Brown, chief scientist of Xerox Corporation and the director of its Palo Alto Research Center (PARC). Interests include formation of corporate strategy; corporate research, including organizational learning, ethnographies of the workplace, and complex adaptive systems; and human learning and the management of…

Describes how storytelling can be used for reflective learning purposes. Explores the context in which storytelling occurs and identifies the characteristics that shape the process: setting, number of listeners, and type of story. Demonstrates how storytellers can mix these characteristics, which are translated into eight storytelling pathways,…

Examines individual learning differences and adaptive learning in interactive World Wide Web learning environments, highlighting the dominant influence of emotions and intentions and their impact on learning. Explains learning orientations and the System for Intentional Learning and Performance Assessment (SILPA), an interactive Web learning…

Describes new developments in formative assessment and challenges for the educational community. Asserts that many current assessment practices that serve certification and prediction functions well are not well suited for improving learning. Calls for alternative approaches to assessment, rooted in cognitive theories of knowledge and learning,…