One of the most revolutionary advances in psychometric research during the last decades has been the systematic development of statistical models that allow for cognitive psychometric research (CPR) to be conducted. Many of the models currently available for such purposes are extensions of basic latent variable models in item response theory…

Description of expert system development focuses on identifying the problem, or knowledge, domain, and discusses three methods for defining the domain: (1) brainstorming, (2) concept analysis, and (3) information processing analysis, which describes cognitive processes. The techniques are illustrated by a description of an auto manfacturer's sales…

Restructuring constraining thoughts is an important step in career counseling. A collaborative approach enables counselors to assist clients in (1) recalling distressing situations, (2) determining associated thoughts and feelings, (3) discovering underlying beliefs, (4) summarizing the thoughts, and (5) examining the relationship between beliefs,…

Describes 11 spelling strategies for students with mild disabilities that enhance student motivation and can be used to reinforce existing spelling curriculums with no additional materials. Some of the modifications include stressing the relevance of spelling; implementing test-teach and test-correction methods; using an analogy strategy; and…

The ability to recognize and recall details about objects helps scientists figure out the answers to problems. Observational skills can be developed by sketching objects in detail. Rapid drawing can improve students' sense of important features and rapid memorization of clues about an object. (JDD)

Argues that teaching writing conventions in a basic writing class is not a sufficient preparation either for the traditional freshman writing course or for the courses in the students' majors that will follow. Argues that students should be provided with appropriate reading and writing activities of real complexity at every level. (RS)

This manual describes two methods of assessing college students' conceptual structures in the interest of student evaluation. The focus is on the mental frameworks (conceptual structures) that enable students to remember and apply facts and theories. The guide offers two methods, the "ordered-tree" and the "fill-in-the-structure." An introduction…

This chapter presents a review of the latest research on advance organizers, and provides instructions for constructing and using them. The theoretical background of the advance organizers research is presented, beginning with the work of Ausubel, and this work is related to the writings of Piaget. An outline of advance organizer research is then…

Described is the generative learning strategy, an approach which encourages pupils to discuss their out-of-school ideas about plant breathing, drinking, wood production, soil, minerals, and leaves, and assist them in linking appropriate ideas together to form an explanation of the origin of plant materials. (CW)

This article tells the story of how the Ball-Stick-Bird reading system, intended for superior dyslexic students, was applied to the teaching of reading to individuals with severe to moderate mental retardation. The system incorporates developmental linguistics to make story reading easier for the beginning student. The first books of the series…

The Enneagram is a model of human consciousness. It describes each of the nine strategies that people adopt to understand the world and others. This guidebook is intended to be used with the video of the same name, which describes the nine perspectives on learning. The book provides a Type-related context to the comments made by the students on…

The development and role of subject matter knowledge within teachers' professional development is currently the source of much research; however, the parallel development and role of pedagogical knowledge has yet to be systematically analyzed. In investigating this seldomly tapped area of concern, researchers involved 26 preservice science…

Described is the relative complexity of commonly used diagrams in science instruction. Student interpretations of diagrams, implications for science instruction and the prevention of science misconceptions is discussed. (CW)

Student comments about having time in class to think and solve problems are presented. Stressed are teaching methods which allow students to familiarize themselves with the problem, think about solution processes, work through the solution process, and reflect while solving a problem. (CW)

To understand more fully how students' usable knowledge about writing is activated by texts, a study examined how the manipulation of specific text characteristics in the constructed texts influences the verbalization of evaluative criteria. Twenty-seven fifth grade students from a predominantly rural middle school in the southeastern United…