Discussion of instructional technology in the university highlights new demands on the structure of the university, different assumptions about the definition of knowledge versus information, the role of the university in an information-oriented society, and the difference between supplementing media and comprehensive planned instruction. (LRW)

Presents a model of information processing that demonstrates how to facilitate knowledge acquisition. Various instructional strategies designed to reduce the effect of impositions are described, such as use of novelty, mystery, and questioning techniques; reducing complexity of instructional messages; and the automaticity of secondary skills. (JKP)

Discusses instructional design and the integration of computer-assisted learning (CAL) into corporate training. Topics include the social context of learning in models of instructional design, and CAL as a substitute for other instructional media, as an enrichment, and as an organizational innovation. (LRW)

If evaluation is to communicate and promote student learning, it must be separated into formative and summative components. A grading policy that provides nonthreatening feedback (via observation of student work, group evaluation activities, classroom participation, homework, reports, discussions, and portfolios) can help students concentrate on…

Discussion of expert systems and intelligent tutoring systems in the education field highlights an expert system that was developed to enhance the learning process in the field of grammatical constructs. Topics addressed include representing the natural language; parsing; LOGOOP (Logo in Object-Oriented Programing); and user-system interface. (11…

Student learning is affected by (1) process variables--student-teacher interaction and its effect on student behavior; (2) product variables--short- and long-term outcomes; and (3) presage variables--effect of teachers' formative experiences on teaching behavior. (SK)

Missing in curriculum revision/school restructuring links is a curriculum paradigm that incorporates reflective intelligence while promoting social and utilitarian responsibilities. The "social-reconstructive wedge" model described in this article addresses this paradoxical issue by treating the school system as a social system where constituents…

Interviews with 72 volunteers who participated in community development activities over 9 years showed that (1) all increased existing knowledge and skills; (2) on average, women learned more than men; and (3) the greater the level of involvement, the greater the learning. (SK)

Proposes a model for learning and training for intercultural communication competence. Discusses the five levels of the model. Presents five categories of questions to challenge cultural stereotypes. (RS)

The reasoning strategies that students used in understanding qualitative changes in simple biosystem models were investigated. Three important tools of thought were identified concerned with how students made assumptions, dealt with variable interactions, and attributed holistic properties to the system. Findings suggest that students' use of…

Discusses the nature of English from a historical perspective. Argues that conceptions of English arise within or center around an open set or centripetal tendencies and purposes. Discusses these purposes as coalescing around five distinct foundational metaphors, which help to answer how to teach English and how to organize it for instruction.…

Discusses four books that can help teachers offer students opportunities to engage in purposeful oral language activities. (PRA)

Describes Prolog programing language and provides an overview of articles in this special issue and a forthcoming one that focus on improving the use of Prolog in elementary and secondary schools as well as colleges. Topics discussed include problems related to teaching and learning Prolog, and students and their misconceptions about Prolog. (38…

A study that has uncovered robust memories among former students for material learned in a college course after as long as 11 years is discussed. This is in contrast to the widespread conviction that the passing of years wipes away most recollections of concepts and facts learned in school. (KR)

Delay and completeness of verbal information feedback were investigated within a transfer of learning paradigm involving concept formation. An experiment with 192 undergraduates indicates that, although delay of feedback (up to 30 seconds) slows speed of learning on the initial task, it has positive effects on the transfer task. (SLD)