By discussing commonly held myths and misconceptions about second language learning, this discussion attempts to clarify a number of important issues concerning the ease and rapidity with which children learn a second language, the optimal age at which to begin second language instruction, the importance of the extent of exposure to the second…

Current research and though regarding the relationship of individual difference (ID) factors to achievement in the basic skills is reviewed. Four major categories and nine subcategories of ID factors are defined and serve as the framework for the review: status factors (age, sex, and race, ethnic group, and socioeconomic status); intelligence…

One of three guides for teachers developed by the AIR Career Education Curriculum Development Project, the manual is designed to assist upper elementary grade teachers (grades 4-6) in introducing career education into their classrooms. Part 1 presents the philosophy of career education and an overview of how it fits into the total curricular…

One of three guides for teachers developed by the AIR Career Education Curriculum Development Project, the manual is designed to assist middle school teachers (grades 7-9) in introducing career education into their classrooms. Part 1 presents the philosophy of career education and an overview of how it fits into the total curriculum program for…

An examination of second language learning focuses on how universal cognitive processes in language learning and individual differences account for differences in language learning patterns. An introductory section gives background information suggesting that psycholinguistic factors in language learning should receive more attention for two…

Developing the skills necessary to participate in academic discussions is an important goal in many programs of English for academic purposes. However, there has been little empirical investigation into how verbal and nonverbal aspects of discussion abilities might be developed. This paper reports the results of a semester-long effect of…

This document contains three symposium papers on individual differences in learning. "Creek Women's Perceptions of Work: A Qualitative Study" (Barbara Bussell Kawulich, Carol D. Hansen), which is an ethnographic study, discusses differences between the value systems held by Creek women and those of the mainstream population.…

The many dimensions of individual differences that make each learner a challenge to the foreign language teacher are discussed. The teacher must interpret the information and provide differentiated environments to "match" these differences. Emphasis is placed upon learning styles and learning strategies. An historical perspective of adapting…

This volume describes the program plans for the Learning Research and Development Center at the University of Pittsburgh for 1970. The report briefly surveys the long-term objectives of each program and describes in detail the specific plans for accomplishing each project within the programs for the next contract year. (1) The basic learning…

A synthesis of current research, theory, and professional opinion on how children learn to write, this report begins with a brief introduction followed by a discussion of writing readiness that suggests children's eagerness to learn to write. The third chapter examines children's use of writing to extend the functions of speech, drawing, and play,…

Brief analyses are provided of presentations at a conference, held at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, which addressed questions and answers relating to research and education. Conference sessions explored the role of research in relation to educational practices with special focus on theory, research, issues, and application. Papers…

Eight propositions regarding the interaction of teachers and students to create educational outcomes are presented and discussed: 1. It is necessary to look at both cognitive and affective outcomes whenever we want to evaluate the effectiveness of teachers, or an educational program. 2. There is a need for more research on the reciprocal…

THIS PAPER DISCUSSES THE 12 AREAS OF CHANGE IN SCHOOLS--MULTIPLE CLASSES, TEAM TEACHING, USE OF TEACHERS' AIDES, SHARED SERVICES, MODIFICATION OF EXISTING FACILITIES, USE OF PROGRAMED MATERIALS, FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING, USE OF SPECIAL MATERIALS, INSERVICE TRAINING, USE OF NONGRADING PROCEDURES, INCORPORATION OF RECENT TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS, AND…

Component aspects of Program for Learning in Accordance with Needs (PLAN), a systems approach to individualized education on the elementary and secondary school levels, are discussed. PLAN, which has been in operation in twelve selected school districts in California and in the northeastern U.S. since 1966, focuses on assisting the individual to…

The programs and publications of the Wisconsin Center for Education Research from 1980 to 1984 are listed and described in this document. The center's efforts focus on the study of the nature and effects of diversity among students. The research program adds to knowledge about how children learn, how they are taught, and what characterizes…