The purpose of this article was to summarize results from 5 randomized control trials assessing the effects of intervention to improve the fraction performance of 4th-grade students at-risk for difficulty in learning about fractions. We begin by explaining the importance of competence with fractions and why an instructional focus on fractions…

Though factors contributing to difficulty in learning school subjects including Mathematics were extensively studied, nature and characteristics of mathematics, possibly, one among the foremost causes for difficulty in learning it has not received required attention. To bring attention to the difficulties arising out of the nature of mathematics…

This article reviews the nature of learning difficulties in mathematics and, in particular, the nature and prevalence of dyscalculia, a condition that affects the acquisition of arithmetical skills. The evidence reviewed suggests that younger children (under the age of 10) often display a combination of problems, including minor physical…

The primary purpose of this study was to establish whether contrasting teaching methods had an effect on performance accuracy in the recall of graphic symbols. The secondary purpose was to establish whether the iconicity of symbols had an effect on performance accuracy. A direct symbol-teaching method and a contextual symbol-teaching method were…

There exists a substantial number of studies that have identified a subset of low-achieving mathematics students who do not develop a reliance on retrieval for simple addition but who continue to use a counting strategy to solve these problems. There are few studies, however, that have focused on how retrieval of simple addition facts may be…

This paper presents the findings of a study to explore pre-service teachers' beliefs about learning English and the stability of these beliefs over time. Participants were 25 pre-service teachers (11 males, 14 females) enrolled in a Bachelor of Education (TESL) programme. The Horwitz (1987) Beliefs about Language Learning Inventory (BALLI), a…

Beginning foreign language (FL) courses in high school often have high numbers of learning disabled (LED) and at-risk students, perhaps because many students who are considered to be college bound begin foreign language study in middle school. This paper examines FL difficulties as well as effective strategies that others have used to conquer…

A study was designed to examine relationships of aptitude level to training performance on tasks of varying complexity and to determine if differential job training might be required. A complexity rated training battery with eight tasks (simple/choice monitoring, rifle assembly/disassembly, equipment preparation, map symbols, phonetic alphabet,…

Researchers in the field of instruction are exploring the theory that different instructional procedures may be used for students with varying aptitudes so as to individualize teaching, so-called aptitude-treatment interactions (ATI's). This paper reviews pertinent literature, then seeks to develop theoretical models for the generation of…

A multisensory structured language (MSL) approach was utilized with two groups of at-risk high school students (n=63), taught in either English and Spanish (MSL/ES) or Spanish only. Foreign language aptitude improved for both groups and native language skills for the MSL/ES group. A group receiving traditional foreign language instruction showed…

This is the fifth volume of work papers on the teaching of English as a second language. The topics are varied and cover a large area of related subjects. The titles in this volume include: "The Interaction of Dialect and Style in Urban American English,""Trends in English Abroad,""Some Thoughts on Bilingual Education for Mexican American Children…

AN EXPLORATORY STUDY WAS CONDUCTED ON THE INTERACTION BETWEEN COGNITIVE APTITUDES AND VARIED INSTRUCTIONAL TREATMENTS (TEACHING MATERIALS AND TEACHER METHODS) TO DETERMINE IF LEARNING DIFFICULTIES COULD BE SIGNIFICANTLY MINIMIZED BY ALTERING THE CONTENT OF INSTRUCTIONAL TREATMENTS TO FIT THE COGNITIVE APTITUDE PATTERNS OF INDIVIDUAL LEARNERS. THE…

Argues that educators have not developed curriculum and instruction models tailored to lower-achieving students. Discusses characteristics of lower-achieving students and to teaching methods and instructional materials. Presents suggestions for making history and social studies more relevant for these students. (CFR)

Causes of cognitive underdevelopment in Zulu children and the cognitive functions necessary for efficient school learning are outlined. To assess potential for learning and to remediate cognitive underfunctioning, 20 secondary students analyzed, organized, and reproduced a complex geometric figure. Positive effects were evident following specific…