The study examined the potential of training in a specific learning strategy (text structure recognition and use) to improve the recall of expository prose of 27 learning disabled high school students. Trained subjects demonstrated better immediate and delayed recall performance than control subjects trained in problem solving strategies.…

Effects of two types of memory strategy instruction--mnemonic or directed rehearsal--on the vocabulary acquisition of 60 seventh and eighth grade learning disabled students were compared. Among results were that subjects instructed in the mnemonic method significantly outperformed subjects instructed in the direct rehearsal strategy. (Author/DB)

The study examined the use of advance organizers by seven regular secondary teachers with seven learning disabled students. Advance organizers did positively affect students' retention of information, but only after students were taught to attend to and use the advance organizers. (Author/DB)

The article describes use of dialogue journals (in which teacher and student communicate privately in writing) to improve the writing of learning disabled students. Dialogue journals provide a means for students to use reading and writing in meaningful, purposeful ways. (DB)

In two experiments, the importance of mnemonic illustrations for improving the learning and memory performance of learning disabled adolescents was studied. Results showed that students learned more when they studied passages with mnemonic pictures and that mnemonic instruction facilitated students ability to make inferences about information…

This study investigated the prevalence of learning disabilities among 189 male inmates in a county jail setting. If inmates scored below the sixth-grade level, they were further tested. From this procedure, it was concluded that there is a much higher rate of learning disabilities among the adult offender population than among the general…

Kindergarten children (N=103) were administered three tests of visual-motor integration: Bender Gestalt Test, Beery Developmental Test of Visual Motor Integration and Geometric Design subtest of the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence. Issues discussed include interscorer reliabilities, correlations among scores, correlations…

This study investigated the ability of learning disabled, slow learning, and average children (N=39) to adapt learning strategies to different stimulus demands in small group learning situations. Findings demonstrated distinctly different patterns of strategy usage in each diagnostic category; all three groups were able to differentiate among…

A teacher of 15- and 16- year-old boys with moderate learning difficulties and behavior problems describes how a school drama activity improved the boys' self image and motivation. (CL)

An examination of writing as communication for one's self and for other audiences outlines four essentials to a successful writing-process program: (1) adequate provision of time, (2) child choice of writing topic, (3) response to child meaning, and (4) establishment of a community of learners. Study programs, as well as additional reading…

Focuses on how learning works. Discusses three major components related to processing information--sensory and perceptual systems, integration of information, and output of information--and developmental and environmental factors affecting brain information in each of these areas. Concludes with discussion of biological bases for cognitive and…

Suggestions are made to help the regular classroom teacher maximize instructional time for mainstreamed learning disabled students. Suggestions cover general classroom organization, language arts instruction, and math instruction. Recommendations focus on incidental learning. (CL)

This article examines five factors which appear to contribute to learning disabilities among adult basic education (ABE) learners. While the research literature does not provide a comprehensive basis for describing how the disadvantaged learn, it does lead the authors to make eight helpful suggestions for the ABE teacher. (JDS)

Describes a method for helping children with learning disorders to improve their academic performance. (RK)