In posttest results, 76 prealgebra students who learned about functions in a unit emphasizing multiple formats, anchoring learning in a thematic context, and problem solving in cooperative groups were more successful at problem solving and problem representation than were 56 comparison students conventionally taught. Similar results were found for…

Examines the relationship between different types of conversational interaction and second language acquisition. Focuses on whether conversational interaction facilitates second language development? Employed a pre-test posttest design. (Author/VWL)

Investigated whether a time lag in the introduction of Japanese syllabaries makes a difference in the early second language acquisition of Japanese. Two groups of native speakers of English, an experimental group, and a control group participated in the study. Results of two posttests showed no significant differences between the experimental and…

Three analyses of pretest and posttest data are considered: (1) posttest only designs; (2) two-way repeated measures of analysis of variance (ANOVA); and (3) one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Conditions that ensure legitimacy of inferences about the equality of treatment effects on the latent variable theta are discussed. (SLD)

Based on the division of attained change for each treated individual into causal and noncausal change, the product-moment correlation between causal change and initial level is studied and compared with the correlation between attained change and initial level. Relevant formulas for true scores at population level are presented. (SLD)

The delay retention effect was examined using a recent model of feedback for 154 undergraduates, testing the assumptions of the model and investigating the effects of different types of feedback on posttest performance. Implications of better performance after delayed feedback and the assumptions of the model are explored. (SLD)

Examined effects of a 10-week physical activity program on activity level and self-esteem of 8- to 11-year olds. Conducted activities three times weekly for one hour per day. Found that mile-run, timed sit-ups, and sit-reach performances improved significantly from pre- to posttests. Mile-run average heart rates, recovery heart rates, and…

Describes learning objects, also known as granules, chunks, or information nuggets, and likens them to help screens. Discusses concerns about how they can go wrong: (1) faulty pretest questions; (2) missing links in the learning object chain; (3) poor frames of reference; and (4) lack of customization. (JOW)

Internet inservice training was offered to 150 county Extension agents representing six southeastern states, who used Web-based materials, an online pretest/posttest, and listserv discussions. Questionnaire responses indicated that most agents were very receptive to this method. Pretest/posttest scores show that the training resulted in a…

Describes a laboratory study that examined the extent to which group gender composition affected group brainstorming performance in a computerized group support system (GSS) environment. Theory and research related to group gender composition and GSS is reviewed, and results indicate that gender composition did not affect group brainstorming…

Constructs a recursion programming learning system based on Socratic dialog which presents questions to students and encourages them to reflect on their own thinking. Highlights include implementation using database techniques; evaluation by empirical methods; and results of pretests and posttests that show a positive impact on recursion…

This study aimed at supporting the specificity of learning hypothesis, when aiming was based on internal cues, as directing the hand toward a "self-defined" target location. Participants practiced modest (20 trials) or intensive (720 trials) training with visual and proprioceptive information or proprioceptive information only. Pretests and…

This article describes a brief heuristics demonstration and offers suggestions for personalizing examples of heuristics by making them relevant to students. Students complete a handout asking for 4 judgments illustrative of such heuristics. The decisions are cast in the context of students' daily lives at their particular university. After the…

This paper synthesizes findings from three studies to answer a general question: What do casual, adult visitors learn about science from their science-related experiences in free-choice settings? Specifically we asked whether there are changes in how people think about science in their daily lives, the nature and use of scientific knowledge, and…

In this study, the authors introduce a new way to analyze cognitive change during social interactions, based on the mental model theory of reasoning. From this approach, cognitive performance can be improved for solving problems that require multiple models when participants in a social interaction group maintain qualitatively different models of…