In this paper, we propose a way of thinking about ritual that is new to mathematics education research and that challenges the more common approaches to ritual that dichotomise thinking and acting. We argue for a material, monist conceptualisation of ritual, which we refer to as ritualisation. In the context of early number work, we show that…

Millions of Muslim children around the world participate in Qur'anic schooling. For some, this is their only formal schooling experience; others attend both Qur'anic school and secular school. Qur'anic schooling emphasizes memorization and reproduction (recitation, reading, and transcription) of Qur'anic texts without comprehension of their…

Whenever a fixed series of steps must be learned, the question arises as to the order in which they should be brought to mastery and any prompts used in the lesson withdrawn." The author examines the proposition that prompts should start to fade at or near the middle of a learning sequence. (Editor/AK)

In the studies reported here, repetition of an orally presented story did help first grade children remember the information, but pictures were even more effective in facilitating recall of information. (Author)

Suggests that associations learned by rote or with imagery are unlearned at the same rate, but imagery is more effective than rote learning in reducing competition from irrelevant responses. (RB)

The authors concede that thinking strategies are important, but argue that instruction in these strategies may not be warranted. (MK)

The author defends the teaching of thinking strategies. (MK)

A general discussion of thinking strategies is given and researchable questions related to thinking strategies are presented. (MK)

CONFLICTING POINTS OF VIEW TOWARD SPELLING INSTRUCTION WERE DISCUSSED, AND A CRITIQUE OF THE PROBLEM WAS OFFERED. THE RESEARCH ON BOTH SIDES OF THE PROBLEM OF OBTAINING COMPETENCY BY SPELLING GENERALIZATIONS (RULES) WAS PROVIDED. THE AUTHOR CAUTIONED AGAINST THE DANGER OF ASSUMING AN ALL-OR-NONE OR AN EITHER-OR STANCE BY POINTING OUT THE PITFALLS…

This report suggests that research in education, as well as the design of instruction, can be importantly influenced by the paradigm that guides the work. The application of a paradigm to educational research is illustrated, and two paradigms (reception learning and discovery learning) are contrasted. Finally, it is suggested that all educational…

A series of exploratory studies and three experiments dealing with conceptual rule learning are reported in this paper. Discussants related the results to subject matter fields and to educational research and development. Four groups of subjects, five to twelve years old, solved six rule learning problems. It was concluded that younger children…

Emerging research evidence of an approach to learning that combines memorization and comprehension, particularly from Asia, is examined and possible explanations for it are discussed. It is proposed that this approach may explain the apparent paradox of high achievement is Asian cultures, where rote learning in stressed. (Author/MSE)

Description of a study testing for retention of visual material identified as being familiar or unfamiliar to the subjects. (HB)