Provides information about learning disabilities for the developmental educator. Discusses the multidisciplinary nature of its definition, the middle-class orientation of the movement, and the instructional methods and programs available for adolescents. Encourages the development of postsecondary programs geared to individual student needs. (CAM)

Argues that remedial mathematics instruction involving only a hierarchy of instructional units fails to impart methods of mathematical inquiry and thus isolates the student from the learning process. Suggests involving the student by teaching concept development, rather than manipulative skills, and relating mathematics to students' lives. (JP)

Advocates the use of single-subject experimental design as a method of evaluation in a language arts component of a developmental education program. Measures student outcomes of literacy growth as a part of instruction. The rate and degree of growth varied between individuals, indicating which students benefited most from specific instructional…

Although the WebQuest has been around for several years, it appears that not many educators are aware of it, or know how to use it. Thus, it is important to not only expose developmental educators to the use of this strategy, but also to help them realize how they can easily implement it into their curriculum. The use of a Webquest integrates…

Stresses the importance of questioning as a key element in the art of learning. Defines three types of questions: (1) multisystem, which considers more than one relevant viewpoint in thinking through a problem, issue, or question; (2) one-system, which can be tested with a multiple-choice format; and (3) no-system, which are matters of sheer…

Proposes a comprehensive theory that focuses on the developmental education environment. Unites three basic concepts in this perspective--demandingness, responsiveness, and self-regulation--and uses them to organize, explain, and predict useful techniques for practitioners. Seeks to stimulate further research on developmental education practices…

Meaning and knowledge are separate constructs. Meaning is an idiosyncratic, cognitive construct; knowledge is a social construct built upon various shared meanings that are reconstructed and judged to be accurate or probable by a particular community. Language is the medium through which both meaning and knowledge are formed. Instructors can…

Discusses the role of the developmental educator in promoting successful learning in mathematics. Sees the promotion of positive math attitudes as the starting point for developmental math instruction. Considers various learning models and process-oriented methods for teaching mathematical concepts and skills. (DMM)

Describes the Community College of Philadelphia's three-level developmental curriculum consisting of basic English and math courses and developmental-content, noncredit courses in history, geography, social science, and psychology. Reviews the objectives, content, and instructional methods of each level of the curriculum and discusses outcomes.…

Suggests that the current instructional paradigm--the lecture--is outmoded, as is the presentational format of most technology aid instruction. Recommends the use of the mastery learning model to transcend this outdated teaching paradigm for the instruction of developmental students. (42 references) (SL)

Describes a study examining the effect of hand-held calculators on student achievement in college developmental mathematics classes. Finds no significant differences between control and treatment groups, indicating that students who used calculators scored slightly lower on posttests but achieved higher final course grades as a group than control…

The purpose of this study is to determine differences in mathematics self-efficacy between students enrolled in a developmental mathematics course and those enrolled in a calculus course. Data from a sample of 185 freshmen students at a single 4-year institution using the Mathematics Self-Efficacy Scale are analyzed. Results indicate that calculus…

Using popular culture in my developmental writing course has prompted me to reconsider what it means to create successful developmental writing assignments. Having slipped into the questionable habit of assuming that removing complexity makes an assignment appropriate for developing writers, I pared down a fairly open-ended "media…

Provides information on the definition, etiology, and incidence of dyslexia. Presents guidelines to help developmental educators identify and test dyslexic students. Suggests helping strategies and discusses the basics of language retraining in the areas of reading, spelling, and writing. Includes a 50-item bibliography. (DMM)

Reviews the nine-stage Perry Scheme of Intellectual and Ethical Development, detailing three major student orientations--dualism, multiplicity, and commitments in relativism. Suggests techniques developmental educators can use to communicate with, support, and challenge students to promote intellectual development. Underscores the importance of…