Analyzes associative structures underlying goal-directed behavior using well-developed techniques for studying Pavlovian conditioning. Identifies the roles of the stimulus, response, and reinforcer in instrumental learning. A response and its reinforcer must be associated for acquisition and maintenance of instrumental behavior. (Author/LHW)

When teachers give students just a few seconds more to think about and formulate their answers to questions, there are pronounced improvements in the quality of the response and in students' and teachers' attitudes and expectations. (Author)

The author suggests that computers help teachers consider what education should be for students with special needs but that the potential of computers will dissipate if the real question of what students are learning is not addressed. (CL)

A study involving 83 fourth graders and 86 sixth graders with reading disabilities revealed that inductively organized text presented problems for nearly all the sample subjects. The average readers appeared to approach the text in a more systematic manner. (Author/CL)

Explores the concepts of event analysis, the natural history method, and the ritual process in relation to the processes of culture transmission. Focuses on one American ritual, the family reunion, as an example of a learning context within which children absorb a culture's patterns and rhythms. (Author/CMG)

Tested four groups (N=491) of male general hospital subjects with the Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test to determine differences between alcoholic and depressed subjects (measured by Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory). Results showed that alcoholism lowers initial repetition, recall, and recognition scores; depression lowers only the…

A pilot study was made of 1) whether distinctive patterns of behavior exist for students of different learning characteristics and 2) whether or not and the degree to which the Individually Prescribed Instruction system succeeds in adapting its instructional procedures to these behavior patterns. (JY)

The relationship between administrative work in higher education and student learning is explored. A conceptual framework for thinking about the relationship is derived from reflecting on relevant literature. Implications for research and practice are discussed to guide readers in improving educational policy and advancing the application of new…

This collection contains seven case studies about ethical issues faced by scholars of teaching and learning, each with commentary from individuals who bring different perspectives to bear on the issues. This case-plus-commentaries format enacts a central theme of the volume, which is that there is no single right way to resolve the ethical…

How might human intelligence evolve over the next 100 years? This issue paper explores that idea. First, the paper summarizes five emerging perspectives about human intelligence: Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences theory, Robert Sternberg's triarchic theory of intelligence, Ellen Langer's mindfulness theory, David Perkins' learnable…

This book takes the mystery and confusion out of assessment by reframing its purpose in student evaluation and learning by providing teachers and school and district administrators with mechanisms for the effective use of assessment, real-life examples and case studies, sample rubrics and lesson plans, and a discussion of the changing role of…

In September 1998, the Math Science Education National Board held a convocation on middle grades mathematics that was co-sponsored by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), the National Middle School Association (NMSA), and the American Educational Research Association (AERA). The convocation was structured to present the teaching…

This presentation recalls the goals of the State University of New York (SUNY) Assessment Initiative and the Provost's charge to the Task Force on the Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes and then summarizes the Task Force's core recommendations and the Implementation Guidelines established by the Office of the Provost. Also described is the…

The Powerful Learning Framework was developed by the Accelerated Schools Project in 1997. The framework is an approach that integrates curriculum, instruction, and context through five components. Powerful learning is described as authentic, interactive, learner-centered, inclusive, and continuous. This study was conducted to identify additional…

Expert systems are computer programs that are designed to advise or assist users by storing the knowledge of human experts and applying the computer's mathematical ability to search and sort this information. This study investigated the use of an expert system as a mindtool and whether or not creating a simple expert system would facilitate the…