Data on 140 eighth-grade earth science students were analyzed to see if logical thinking, instructional method, and the interaction between those two variables explained a significant portion of variance in achievement. Logical thinking was found to account for more variation in achievement than did treatment, although treatment also affected…

A general model of conceptual change which is largely derived from current philosophy of science, but which can illuminate learning as well, is described. Some features of this model are illustrated by interviews with students studying special relativity in physics. Finally, some pedagogical implications are presented. (Author/PB)

Six studies investigated the use of pictorial material in a group setting to measure the cognitive level of children (age 7 to 11) on eight Piagetian concepts. Children were low to middle socioeconomic status with 60 percent Spanish surnames. Factor analysis and clinical administration supported test validity. (Author/CTM)

Characteristics of three experimental programs used to compare participants to each other and to a group of students in the regular curriculum are identified: development of logical thought, broader educational development and career development, and academic characteristics. The programs and their evaluations are described. (Author/MLW)

Argues on the basis of Piaget's theory that self-regulated cognitive activity of the student plays a crucial role in the construction of logical reasoning strategies used in testing hypotheses. Proposes six sequences in the development of hypothesis-testing conceptions and provides alternatives. Also distinguishes three families of teaching…

This study explored the cognitive style of field dependence-independence (FDI) and its relation to student attrition and performance on the General Educational Development Test and the Test of Adult Basic Education. Resultant correlations are discussed in terms of the usefulness of FDI in assessing the needs of adult learners. (Author/SK)

This study focuses on the relationship between formal operational reasoning, as defined by Piaget, and the success of physics students, defined by their final examination grades. (SA)

Evaluation of a sequenced inquiry learning task with 20 normally achieving junior high students, 18 students with learning disabilities (LD), and 16 with mild mental retardation (MR) found 75 percent of the normal, 50 percent of the LD, but none of the MR students made the correct induction. LD and MR students were less likely to answer…

Describes an object-oriented approach which implements the logical model of a hypermedia newspaper based on experiences with the OtaOnline project at the Helsinki University of Technology (Finland.) Highlights include presentation formats, a semantical rating system, distribution schemes, metadata, and added-value features facilitated by the…

Discusses a framework for assessing middle school students' thinking in conditional probability and independence. Establishes four levels of thinking from subjective to numerical reasoning for both constructs. Students (n=15) from grades 4-8 were interviewed. Profiles reveal that levels of probabilistic thinking were stable across the two…

Compares BASIC and LOGO systems in developing artificial intelligence systems. Provides listings of programs used for translating and sentence making. Describes methodology and compares the BASIC and LOGO programs. (MVL)

Explores aspects of information retrieval skills such as end user training, indexing, controlled vocabulary systems, search protocol, boolean logic, problem analysis, and decision making. Suggests techniques for classroom instruction using simulations of online databases, CD-ROMs, and DIALOG's classroom instruction program. Describes several…

Compares the relative effects of hands-on and teacher demonstration laboratory methods on declarative knowledge and procedural knowledge achievement. Reports that students in the hands-on class were better on the procedural knowledge test than students in the demonstration class. (Author/YP)

Challenges the readers comprehension of mathematical induction by presenting four examples of arguments that misrepresent the concept. Discusses the reasons why the arguments lead to false conclusions. (MDH)

Beginning geometry students misunderstand the requirements of formal proof because of confusion between deductive reasoning and argumentation. Presented is a cognitive analysis of deductive organization versus argumentative organization of reasoning and the applications of this analysis to learning. Implications of a study analyzing students'…