This document presents hypotheses about how much understanding a user needs to perform skillfully using a computer or a computer program. A framework for characterizing user understanding is presented which includes three criteria for evaluating the representation generated during problem solving: (1) internal coherence--whether the components of…

Describes Baltimore County (Maryland) Public Schools' integration of a mastery learning project for third and fourth graders begun in 1980 with a subsequent thinking skills project. The basic premises of each program (that students will learn well, given time and appropriate instruction) were similar. A sidebar illustrates the divergent…

Several models of information integration are developed and analyzed in the context of a prototypical pattern-recognition task. Evaluation, integration, and decision-making processes are specified for each. Simulations and predictions are carried out to provide a measure of identifiability or extent to which they can be distinguished from one…

Considers the limitations of treating learning strategy instruction and content-area subject instruction separately from each other. Discusses the challenges facing a closer integration of these two components. Describes a working model for integrating these two forms of instruction. (HB)

Whereas the writing process is recursive, Instructional Theory into Practice (ITIP) is a linear, sequential series of instructional decisions. By understanding the relationship between these two models, staff development and curriculum specialists can assist teachers by coordinating support group sessions and followup training using a common…

This article describes an integrated problem solving and program development environment, illustrating the application of the system with a detailed case study of a small-scale programming problem. The system, which is based on an explicit cognitive model, is intended to guide the novice programmer through the stages of problem solving and program…

A theoretical base is proposed for the current empirical literature on study skills. The proposed compensation model emphasizes the function of study activities as a subclass of cognitive skills aimed at cognitive control that compensates for limitations of the information processing system. A factor analysis confirms five basic structures. (SLD)

A response to the educator's confusion over how to teach critical thinking skills through writing, the writing process model described in this paper underlines the close ties among cognitive, language, and writing skills. Guiding writing assignments in all content areas, the model involves students in reflection and discussion as they move from…

A case is made for the importance of studying literature as part of the second language instructional program. Literary criticism introduces linguistics, anthropology, metaphysics, psychoanalysis, and other areas and theories and ties them into into the study of language and literature. (CB)

Problems are identified in adapting findings of laboratory-based cognitive instruction to mainstream classes. A metacognitive instruction model called Process-based Instruction (PBI) is then described. PBI recognizes the importance of interactions between student, teacher, and curriculum content and involves assessment, orientation, strategy…

E. Paul Torrance's Instructional Model uses an integrated approach to teach thinking skills and creative productivity along with subject content for gifted students. Thinking skill objectives include such skills as developing originality, keeping open, imagining the future, using movement, etc. Two sample lessons apply the model to creative…

Intended for elementary school teachers of reading and composition, this book assembles several articles on the reading/writing relationship that have appeared in 1982 and 1983 issues of the journal "Language Arts." The three sections of the book define the relationship between composing and comprehending, explore relevant research, and…