Critical thinking is a major goal of social studies education. Teachers need to know what critical thinking is before they can successfully incorporate the skill into their teaching strategies. Understanding why critical thinking is a major goal of education in a free society helps teachers prepare students to be informed and rational participants…

Researchers have long debated on whether note-taking results in improved student performance on tests. Over the years, researchers have tried to verify that note-taking helps students "encode" the information involved and that notes are valuable as materials for review. C. C. Crawford's 1925 study concluded that taking notes was better…

Integrating metacognitive skills into classroom instruction can help students to develop into active, independent readers and learners. B. Armbruster, in a summary of research on metacognition, examined reading to learn from a metacognitive perspective as it related to four variables: texts, tasks, strategies, and learner characteristics.…

Techniques to enable high school students to improve their test performance are briefly outlined. The techniques cover pre-test preparation, strategies for use during test administration, and special skills for multiple-choice and essay tests. An advantage of students practicing their test-taking skills is that it will help them manage the anxiety…

This digest discusses what research says about learning strategies and how teachers can teach learning strategies. A learning strategy is defined as an individual's way of reorganizing and using a particular set of skills in order to learn content or accomplish other tasks more effectively and efficiently in school and nonacademic settings.…

The increase in adult, minority, women, part-time, and displaced students attending community colleges has caused the roles of community college counselors to shift from an "in loco parentis" emphasis on personal counseling, vocational guidance and social support to new roles as student developers and learning agents. As student…

This digest presents information for parents regarding science and math homework. The benefits of homework are discussed and guidelines for gauging the amount of time spent on homework are given. Suggestions for family policies and procedures for helping children complete homework assignments are also presented. (WRM)

Doing well on tests and earning good grades begin with good study habits. This digest offers a plan to help in preparing for tests. It explains how to study for and take tests. Organization, planning, and time management skills are essential to becoming a successful student. A good student reads assignments, listens during lectures, and takes good…

This digest discusses some of the ways basic skills instructors can help students become real learners. The digest argues that the "learning specialist" (a term preferable to "remedial/developmental" reading specialist) should operate from a philosophical perspective stressing strategic approaches to reading-to-learn as driven…

This informational digest considers assistive technology for students with mild disabilities in the context of Public Law 100-407, the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988 which was designed to enhance the availability and quality of assistive technology devices and services to people with disabilities and…

This digest explains five homework strategies appropriate for use with students who have disabilities and which are supported by research. These strategies are: (1) give clear and appropriate assignments (specific tips from both teachers and students are offered); (2) make homework accommodations (eight common accommodations are listed); (3) teach…

The digest is based on a full length report (with the same title) on postsecondary developmental programs. The full report provides a definitive review of the literature and institutional practice on the topic. Postsecondary developmental programs at institutions of higher education encompass a variety of courses and services that are conducted to…

Few of the English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) participants in adult education classes move on to academic ESL programs that prepare them for content area study or general educational development (GED) or high school equivalency instruction. The ESL literacy curriculum is currently mismatched with GED and academic ESL curricula in purpose, content,…

Employers cite the following skills as important for both blue- and white-collar entry-level workers: (1) employee application and interview skills; (2) work-related social skills and habits, especially communication and interpersonal skills; (3) basic academic skills, particularly in reading, mathematics, writing, and problem solving/reasoning;…

Parents can play an important role in helping their children succeed in school. This ERIC Digest presents the Big Six Skills problem-solving method as an effective approach for parents. The Big Six Skills apply to any problem or activity that requires a solution or result based on information. The Big Six can help parents effectively deal with the…