Describes an empirical study based on a phenomenographic perspective that examined college students' understanding in relation to their thinking about concepts. Examines the relation between words used and their meaning in the process of understanding and learning. Results of qualitative interviews and contextual analysis are discussed.…

Describes a study of university students that examined the ability of people to learn a computer system by exploration and discusses the role of thinking aloud and reflection to obtain information about the goals of the user. Considers display-based, exploratory learning in relation to planning and problem solving. (Author/LRW)

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)

Discusses the current information processing conceptualization of memory, the process of learning by analogy, and the overall desired outcomes of their use to acquire and retain new information. Instructional implications of how to use analogies are discussed, and a set of prescriptive guidelines for using them is presented. (69 references)…

Outlines a proposed model for understanding the human information processing system, which is conceptualized in terms of three interrelated major elements--executive, working, and long-term memory--with emphasis on the structure of long-term memory. Thirty-one references are listed. (MBR)

Presents an approach to task sequencing that is based on a component-skills view of intelligence and learning. Related research in cognitive psychology and in computer based instruction is reviewed, and a cognitive model of human task sequencing is developed and then applied to an intelligent tutoring system for algebra. (39 references)…

Reports on an empirical study that investigated the use of hypertext information systems during architectural design problem solving. Discusses theoretical notions on design problem solving, changing informational needs, and educational implications related to learning in complex domains. (Author/LRW)

Reports on a study of nursing education at the University of Southern Queensland (Australia) that sought to integrate-computer mediated communication, collaborative learning, and reflection on critical incidences to make the most of learning opportunities confronted by learners and practitioners in situ. Discusses learning and instructional…

Describes a study which examined the stability of both cognitive and affective "aptitudes" as they relate to learning. Seventh-grade students learned language concepts for 5 weeks and 3 achievement measures were administered. Analysis of aptitude-achievement relations indicate some aptitudes relate differentially to achievement during learning.…

Cognitive load theory suggests that the manner in which information is presented can interfere with learning. For example, in studying equations with unfamiliar notations, a heavy extraneous cognitive load is generated because mental integration of notations and meanings is required. Discusses four experiments with high school students designed to…

Describes investigation of factors influencing learning with understanding, including effectiveness of decision making by learners, determination to unlearn misconceptions, and awareness of the deficiencies generating inappropriate attitudes. Major implication relates to promoting self-control of learning by understanding the learning process and…

Considers two basic models of the teaching-learning process, described as the didactic and the communication models, and applies them to computer assisted learning. Conventional and intelligent tutorials and simulation are used as examples to compare the amount of control students have over learning strategy, content manipulation, and domain…

Discussion of students' prior knowledge and its effect on analogical reasoning focuses on four case studies of high school and college students that were designed to determine factors important for success in overcoming misconceptions via analogical reasoning. Explanatory models are explained, and abstract transfer versus explanatory model…

Outlines Component Design Theory, which is based on the author's earlier Component Display Theory, and provides the instructional design guidance needed for experiential computer based instructional systems. Highlights include a contrast between tutorial and experiential instructional models, content structures, consistency rules, instructional…

The study reported investigated the role of memory aids in conjunctive and biconditional inductive processes of attribute-identification and rule-learning tasks, using 132 tenth grade students as subjects. Fifteen references are listed. (CHC)