A total of 80 infants, divided equally among 4 age groups, participated in a contingency learning task. Of these infants, 48 received an audiovisual stimulus contingent on arm movement, and 32 served as a yoked control group. Findings indicated that exposure to a period in which the infant's expectancy regarding contingent outcomes is violated…

Describes the effect of crack on the user and on the pregnant user's offspring. Children of the first crack addicts are now in school and exhibit an array of behavioral and cognitive difficulties. Early intervention in a supportive environment has succeeded in preparing some of these children for the classroom. (DM)

Synthesizes a body of literature that captures the complexities involved when considering the role that culture plays in learning. Concludes that culture is too important to be overlooked or disregarded, but that information about cultural groups should not be overgeneralized since there is great variation within cultures. (SLD)

The eight articles of this special issue focus on the cultural and personal elements of a mathematics learning situation that may be described as the context. The articles share an approach to context that views activity and meaning making as important determinants of human behavior. Each article contains references. (SLD)

Describes three assumptions regarding treatment utility of assessment not supported by objective data: aptitude-treatment interactions do not provide valid basis for treatment selection; individualized assessment is better than nonindividualized assessment; and assessment improves consultation treatment. Proposes agenda to provide an objective,…

Reports on an investigation of teacher (n=40) beliefs concerning the nature of mathematics and the learning and teaching of mathematics. Discusses the ramifications of the similarities and differences in the espoused beliefs of the different groups of teachers and the reform documents. Contains 35 references. (Author/ASK)

Ellinger, Watkins, and Bostrom report a study of 12 managers who described critical incidents in which they facilitated employee learning. Behaviors defining facilitation were identified. Dirkx's response criticizes the research for its individualistic and decontextualized focus. (SK)

Reviews research concerning within-class grouping of students for learning and addresses some issues related to the integration of research on small group instruction raised by S. Prais (1998, 1999). Elaborates on pedagogical techniques that encourage effective small group instruction. (SLD)

Explores perspectives on assessment suggested by different interpretations of L. Vygotsky's concept of the zone of proximal development (ZPD). One approach considers it possible to measure ZPD as an individual trait with some stability across instructional settings. A second approach suggests that assessment intervenes in the ZPD created by a…

Studied the relationship between learning and understanding and the meaning of memorization with 78 distance learners at the University of the South Pacific through interviews. Identified two meanings of memorization, one with understanding and one without. Discusses the implications for distance education. (SLD)

Explores two metaphors for learning, the acquisition metaphor and the participation metaphor. After a critical evaluation of the interpretations and applications of these metaphors, the question of theoretical unification of research on learning is addressed, stressing the dangers of too great a devotion to one single metaphor. (SLD)

Trial-by-trial strategy assessments and a microgenetic design were used to examine the learning of rules for solving balance scale problems by 70 4- and 70 5-year olds. Developmental differences in learning that emerged seemed to reflect both distal and proximal influences. Encoding and initial rule use were related to different learning process…

What and how students eat can profoundly affect their ability to learn. Children require a high-protein breakfast for alertness, and a balanced diet, including complex carbohydrates throughout the day. Chronic stress causes the brain and body to deplete available nutrients. Nutrition is an important issue; better school food equals better school…

Examines the validity and effectiveness of the two-axes process model of understanding mathematics. Analyzes data collected in a case study of a third grade mathematics class in a national elementary school. Teaching and learning of mathematics that enables children to understand mathematics deeply and in their meaningful way is characterized as…

Evaluated multidimensional students evaluations of teaching (SETs), workload (workload for students), grades, perceived learning, and background variables through confirmatory factor analysis of previously published data. Results show that SETs and teaching effectiveness can both be improved by increasing good workload and decreasing bad workload.…