Existing research identifies that students' approaches to assignments are related to their general approaches to study. It is suggested that students need to better understand the requirements of assignments and acquire new concepts such as "argument". This fine-grained study proposes four qualitatively distinct assignment pathways: gathering,…

A learning strategies program emphasizing primary (text-oriented) and support (affective) strategies was evaluated. Strategy training significantly improved performance on both text-processing and self-report measures. The primary-support group scored higher on the text-processing measures; the support-primary group reported more positive…

Examines elaboration theory of instruction (ETI), a theory that prescribes different patterns of sequencing for different kinds of learning. Presents results of surveying undergraduate students who have undergone ETI sequencing. Results identify the strengths and weaknesses of the instruction and ways of improving it. Student debriefing questions…

Formulates sequential rules for adapting the appropriate amount of instruction to learning needs in the context of computer-based instruction. Topics include Bayesian decision theory, threshold and linear-utility structure, psychometric model, optimal sequential number of test questions, and an empirical example of sequential instructional…

Reports on a study that compared the use of standard lesson planning to sequential teaching by prospective teachers. Concludes that task analysis and the sequential approach may improve instruction by providing students with an opportunity for mastery and a positive learning experience through frequent success. (CFR)

Discussion of prior learning and acquired knowledge focuses on a study at Ben Gurion University (Israel) that examined the occurrence and nature of learning in an earth science course and its relations with prior knowledge from a prerequisite course. Highlights include concept definitions; cognitive mapping; course sequencing; and course design.…

Discussion of menu design strategies for computer-assisted instruction (CAI) focuses on a study that investigated whether menu design would affect undergraduate learners' usage patterns during a CAI lesson. Sequential versus random selection of options is discussed, and new measures for describing usage patterns in CAI are explained. (eight…

This investigation focuses upon the question of: (1) how naive subjects organize and represent knowledge when solving problems; (2) how previous experience of a novice is used in solving a problem; (3) what kinds of information and knowledge are sought as well as overlooked by novices when solving problems; (4) what kinds of strategies novices…

Discussion of control over sequence of instruction in computer-assisted instruction (CAI) focuses on a follow-up study that examined the effects of the breadth and depth of menus and the meaningfulness of menu category names on the learning and attitudes of college students. Posttests are described, and results are analyzed. (16 references) (LRW)

Description of a study which formulated a model of the cognitive processes involved in learning statistics material via computer assisted learning (CAL) focuses on mode of presentation (aural or visual), sequence of the material, and previous mathematical experience. Textual analysis is discussed and implications of the results for design of CAL…

The implicit assumption behind personal writing assignments given at the beginning of a writing course is that personal essays eliminate the writing apprehension of having nothing to say. However, college freshmen find it very difficult to write about themselves and their own opinions because this writing involves abstract mental processes and…

This annotated bibliography is a compilation of the research on programed instruction conducted in the United States since 1954. The introduction describes the field; looks back over the research and reviews some of its conclusions; answers the question whether students learn from programmed instruction; explains the characteristic variables; and…