As the first volume of a 4-volume report evaluating the University of Massachusetts Non-Formal Education Project (UMass NFEP) in rural Ecuador, this volume presents summary responses to the following evaluation questions: (1) What does UMass NFEP purport to do? (2) How does UMass NFEP go about implementing its goals? (3) To what extent is UMass…

As the third volume in a 4-volume evaluation report on the University of Massachusetts Non-Formal Education Project (UMass NFEP) initiated in rural Ecuador in 1973, this volume presents an in-depth analysis of the evaluation findings. Since UMass NFEP was initiated for purposes of developing new materials and methodologies in conjunction with and…

In this report, the nature of anxiety is considered in historical perspective, and the concepts of trait and state anxiety are discussed. Methods for measuring these constructs are also described. In addition, hypotheses about the effects of anxiety on learning, formulated in terms of Spence-Taylor Drive Theory and Spielberger's Trait-State…

In an experiment conducted under classroom conditions with 8th grade students, the simulation game "Democracy" was shown to be effective at teaching that "log-rolling" is an acceptable part of the legislative process. Two aspects of the game--role identification and game structure--were shown to contribute independently to its effectiveness.…

This study investigated incidental learning in middle and lower class black and white preschool children. The study questioned whether (a) preschool children acquire learning incidentally; (b) there was a difference in the quantity of such learning between black and white children; (c) differences in learning was influenced by socioeconomic…

This paper describes five major conceptualizations of intelligence as: (1) a general ability; (2) a pair of abilities; (3) a limited set of multiple intelligences; (4) a complete set of multiple intelligences; and (5) a set of interacting cognitive and noncognitive factors that determine cognitive performance. Theories of multiple intelligence…

Traditional and performance-oriented approaches to procedural training were compared, and the deficiencies were identified. A cognitive interpretation of procedural learning was advanced, and training implications were considered. Representative armor procedures were analyzed to derive the underlying memory structures required for recall. Findings…

On the premise that the college classroom should heighten, not cool, a zeal for learning, the author proposes that colleges extend the range of alternative paths to personal growth through a program of voluntary temporary learning communities using diverse modes of inquiry. (JT)

Research designed to determine whether the phenomena observed by Piaget were task specific was performed. The results did not confirm Piaget's notion that topological concepts develop prior to the concepts of Euclidean geometry. (SD)

Discusses the fact that when the materials or interactions used as a basis for a science activity posses a high degree of familiarity, the student may rely on past experience rather than on gathering data to use in making judgments. In such cases, a simple request for observed evidence should be made. (MLH)

Describes how children can learn fundamental concepts of measurement by using nonstandard measuring devices and simple comparisons. (MLH)

Preservice teachers observed the performance of primary children (age 8) doing a variety of concrete mathematical tasks. (SD)

Based on a comparison between two types of questions reflecting a distinction among various levels of learning--verbatim or rote and high order or meaningful--it is hypothesized that meaningful learning postquestions would facilitate retention more than rote-learning postquestions. (RC)