A discussion of research on the use of the task analysis procedures by both content specialists and instructional psychologists in instructional design. (HB)

Examines the relationship between recent research on metacognition and schema theory. Provides practical teaching suggestions, showing how these concepts can be used as a framework for language instruction and for analyzing tasks students are asked to perform. (RAE)

This article explores the styles of word reading and word spelling used by beginning readers in the French language. The aim of the study was to find out whether "sub-lexical" and "lexical" styles of reliance, which has been observed in children learning to read and spell in English, exists in French, a language with a more transparent…

Previous research on infant swimming has reported contradictory findings. Cross-sectional observations revealed a disorganized phase between about 3 and 12 months, which was attributed to "cortical inhibition" and implied slow learning (McGraw, 1939). However, training with a single infant during this period revealed rapid acquisition (McGraw,…

A report is given on research exploring the theory that stimulation from the teacher does not directly initiate student learning but activates cognitive processes that result in learning. Combined research into classroom processes and student information processing was conducted. An analysis of treatment theories that operate in research on…

The instructional effectiveness of learning programs derived from Gagne-type task analysis, ordering theory analysis, and random sequenced presentation of complex intellectual skills were investigated. Fifty-seven high school students completed a self-instructional program derived from one of the three sequences. No significant differences were…

Prescriptive teaching was reported to be the subject of an institute (August 1972) which showed teachers how to use a conceptual model of the learning system, how to help children develop self concept so as to overcome maladaptive behavior, and how to write educational procedures for individualized instruction. The conceptual model was described…

The definition of hierarchical structure is reviewed, together with psychometric and experimental evidence regarding the existence of specific structures. A mathematical model including hierarchical and nonhierarchical options for a two component task is presented, along with an experimental design appropriate for testing the model and related…

Based on data gathered in a participant observation project that focused on young children's behaviors during school structured literacy tasks, a study examined the relationship between learning to write and learning to perform school writing tasks. (HOD)

Discusses procedures for the analysis of instructional strategies incorporated into distance learning materials, especially with regard to the development of higher order cognitive ability (i.e., critical thinking). Three approaches to task analysis are examined, including the learning hierarchy model, the concept hierarchy, and the information…

In an increasing number of second language (L2) classrooms, teachers and researchers are taking on new roles and responsibilities. From these new perspectives, they are developing similar concerns about L2 learning processes, which they typically express in ways that reflect their different backgrounds and goals. To support learning, teaching, and…

The cognitive load and learning effects of dual-code and interactivity--two multimedia methods intended to promote meaningful learning--were examined. In Experiment 1, college students learned about the causal chain of events leading to the process of lightning formation with a set of words and corresponding pictures (Group WP), pictures (Group…

The issue of multi-level classrooms and of the increasingly differentiated nature of students' learning experiences continues to be a major challenge for language teachers. It's safe to say that wherever two or more language teachers are gathered together, the "problem" of multi-level classrooms will figure somewhere in the conversation.…

This paper takes the position that logical knowledge is distinct from conceptual and procedural knowledge and can make a unique contribution to the understanding of knowledge acquisition. This view of logical knowledge departs from the traditional Piagetian view of stages and the overriding view of logic as the sole means of constructing new…

An instructional system that is both efficient and effective should present information so that it is easily processed by learners and so that the cognitive structures resulting from instruction correspond to the structure of the content to be learned. This paper presents a discussion of methods for describing content structure and cognitive…