Describes a study that compared the effectiveness of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) and lecture approaches in teaching vocal anatomy and function to 60 undergraduate music students with different learning styles. Highlights include background on learning styles, implications for the use of CAI with various learning styles, and recommendations…

Two experiments are reported that compare teacher-managed videotaped instructional materials featuring native speakers in everyday situations (using the "French in Action" video-based curriculum) to more traditional pedagogical methods involving a variety of classroom exercises and drills. The benefits of video use are discussed. (27…

Forty children were divided into four groups and administered the Tower of Hanoi puzzle using static and dynamic approaches. The benefits of age and ability were indicated by significant improvement from the general failure of the four- to five-year olds to the success of the majority of the high ability seven- to eight-year olds. (Author/JDD)

Examined strategies that students reported using in the comprehension and learning of new information while listening to two radio broadcasts in Spanish. The findings have implications for both the use of authentic listening materials in instruction and for listening strategy research. (51 references) (LB)

A study compared the effectiveness of two methods of teaching psychomotor skills (simulation feedback and guided discovery) to 55 dental hygiene students. The students receiving simulated feedback obtained slightly higher midterm and final grades and showed less variation, suggesting this as a better method for teaching instrumentation skills.…

A two-part study applied the mathematical technique of Data Envelopment Analysis to assess the comparability of self-evaluation and peer evaluation in higher education, for both students and faculty. Focus is on the technique itself: its rationale, prerequisites for use, and insights yielded by the analysis. (Author/MSE)

The spelling performance of 22 male and 26 female first graders using a simultaneous oral spelling method was compared when students were writing the words, spelling them with letter tiles, or typing them on a computer keyboard. Results of two experiments indicate the superiority of handwriting in improving spelling acquisition. (SLD)

Four mentally retarded adults received single case instruction, followed by general case instruction, on washing machine and dryer use, using either actual appliances or simulation. Generalization errors were affected by single/general case instruction, not by use of simulated versus natural conditions. General case simulation was more efficient…

A study examined the assessment methods used to monitor student progress and success in economics degree programs at Coventry Polytechnic (England). Although, in general, little new information was found, conclusions were drawn about the differences between the university and polytechnic and their effects on assessment in this field. (MSE)

An ongoing research project at the University of Alabama explores the term paper bibliographies of students receiving two different forms of library instruction. Two librarians score each bibliography for appropriateness and quality of sources. Results to date indicate that bibliographies of students receiving extra library instruction are not…

The knowledge and abilities necessary for reflective and able adult literacy teaching are discussed. Focus is on whether there are common theoretical underpinnings in the adult basic education (ABE) and teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) fields, and a comparison of ABE and TESOL field practices. (nine references) (LB)

This study, involving 20 children (ages 4-11) with severe hearing impairments, affirmed the content validity of the Clark-Madison Test of Oral Language as a measure of nonwritten expressive language with hearing-impaired children. Performance comparison with hearing individuals revealed a different profile of strengths and weaknesses than did…

Assessments of family needs made by interagency early intervention teams and individual professionals were compared to assessments of their own needs made by mothers of young children with disabilities. Individual professionals matched only 47% of mothers' responses, while team assessments matched 57% of mothers' responses. (Author/JDD)

To assess cross-observer agreement on personality profiles, an Index of Profile Agreement and an associated coefficient are proposed that take into account both the difference between the ratings and the extremes of their mean. Data from the Revised NEO Personality Inventory for 250 peer ratings/self-reports and 68 spouse ratings/self-reports…

Discusses difficulties of Persian speakers, including literacy problems in learning English because of differences in script, and offers suggestions for solving some of the problems in handwriting, spelling, form-filling, punctuation, and reading. (LB)