Arguing that the use of peer groups in a writing classroom theoretically supports the goals of the paradigm shift from emphasis on written product to writing process that has occurred in recent years, this paper examines the complexities confronting teachers who attempt to use groups for instructional purposes. Following a brief introduction, the…

A study investigated how text features influence the amount of vocabulary knowledge students acquired incidentally while reading expositions. Three sets of text features were identified from studies on comprehension: (1) features associated with the macrostructure, (2) features associated with logical and temporal relations in the microstructure,…

A competency-based instructional program was developed to improve the training and performance of paraprofessionals working in education programs for special needs students. The content is designed to meet the training needs of entry-level instructional paraprofessionals serving in public school programs. The content is presented in five modules,…

Some recent research on the development of reading materials for bilingual instruction and instruction in English as a second language (ESL) concerning the appropriate language of academic texts and students' self-awareness of the learning process is reviewed, and a plan for the development of an academic reading program is outlined. The plan has…

Evidence from followup studies of teacher education graduates indicates that teachers do not value certain major components of their teacher education programs and do not really remember or know what their teacher education programs attempted to teach them. While educational experts cite the extensiveness and comprehensiveness of teacher education…

In an effort to examine issues raised by the effort to assess the performance of educational institutions, a project focusing on the social purposes and intellectual foundations of assessment practices in education was initiated. The primary goal of the project was to explore the possibility of developing new, more appropriate educational…

This paper presents a critical review of computer assisted instruction (CAI); an overview of recent intelligent tutoring systems (ITSs), including current perceived shortcomings; major activities of the field, i.e., analysis of teaching/learning processes, and extending and developing artificial intelligence techniques for use in intelligent…

Based on a seminal classroom research project directed by Dr. Donald Graves, as well as on the experiences of numerous children, teachers, parents, and researchers around the world, this book shows what can happen when teachers and parents realize that every child can write. Although the book is the result of a collaboration, the two authors have…

Literature on the impact of stress on various elements in the teaching-learning process in the school environment is reviewed. Writings and research findings on stress are discussed in relation to: (1) children and adolescents; (2) gifted students; (3) mentally handicapped student; (4) teachers; (5) teacher stress as it affects learning; and (6)…

Adult English as a second language (ESL) students must develop listening comprehension skill for two reasons: they need it for survival purposes immediately and it is the first step toward acquisition of English. These two needs reflect the distinction between listening for comprehension and listening for acquisition; they must be accounted for in…

Prepared for a 1984 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) conference, this report focuses on issues and problems identified by research on the impact of the new information technologies on learning processes in formal education at the elementary and secondary levels. The impact of the new technologies is discussed in the…

Sentence-combining exercises improve the psycholinguistic abilities of students developmentally ready to profit from them, by developing language skills used in the writing process. (JH)

The study described in this volume investigated the talk of thirteen-year-old boys and girls, recorded while they were working in small groups on tasks set by their teachers. Specifically, research focused on the interplay between cognitive and communicative functions of speech in contexts planned for learning. "The Children and Their Talk"…

In recent years, gradually increased acceptance and heightened attention have been granted to extrasensory perception (ESP) research as a legitimate branch of scientific inquiry. This research holds significant implications for education despite difficulties involved with its consideration. Extrasensory perception, an organism's apparent access to…

A five-year program, part of the Experimental Schools Program in the Edgewood Independent School District, in San Antonio, Texas, was designed to improve the school performance of its predominantly bilingual Mexican American primary grade students by improving the attitudes of beginning students. Program changes to reverse students' anticipated…