Discusses recent studies related to conceptual understanding in the domain of history, comparing the nature of understanding as found in history to that of other domains. Considers the role of sources in historical knowledge, the role of the historian, causation and explanation, and narrative exposition. (MJP)

Outlines theoretical issues associated with the presupposition that sociocognitive features of maturity can potentially generate worthwhile learning. Reviews recent research into the impact of adult-education-certified courses on mature students' sense of identity that supports claims for continued adult learning. Links are made to lifelong moral…

Established the differential maturation of rapid-speaking durations and the durations of interword pauses in the memory-span-task responses of first, third and fifth graders. Found that a particular memory span is accompanied by different profiles of processing rates in children of different ages. (Author)

Describes the sweat lodge ceremony used at a residential treatment center located on the Navajo Nation and compares the ceremony to modern group work identifying Yalom's (1995) 11 therapeutic factors of group therapy within the ceremony. Considers widespread use of the ceremony with Native Americans and nonnative Americans as well as…

Extends previous research, which investigated relationships between female students' perceptions of a "chilly campus climate" and cognitive outcomes in the first year of college, by examining those relationships through the junior year. Results, implications, and limitations of the study are discussed. (Author/GCP)

Twenty-nine children with learning disabilities (LD) in grades 2 and 4 through 7 were compared with children without LD for their development of proportional structures of thought. Significantly fewer children with LD had constructed second-order logical structures necessary to act on problems using multiplicative and preproportional reasoning.…

This study compared the effectiveness of two intervention approaches, task analysis and cognitive strategy, for imparting the first stages of word-processing skills to adults with mild to moderate mental retardation. Instruction in basic text-typing and paragraph transfer to 25 participants found that both methods were effective but that, for some…

Examines a relatively new form of cooperative learning, "foreign exchange," which is designed to maximize both cognitive and social development in students with and without disabilities in inclusive classrooms. The strategy is described, and an example of how it has been used is provided. (Author/CR)

Notes that the majority of brain development occurs in the first three years of life. States that infant and toddler interactions are beneficial to both ages, provided contact occurs in a safe environment. Discusses how infants and toddlers learn from each other through play, even if they are nonverbal, and further benefit from insights and…

Investigates the short- and long-term effectiveness of a theoretically driven, programmatic rape-prevention intervention on a sample of primarily White and Black college men. Results from a hierarchical cluster analysis indicate three patterns of treatment response: improving, deteriorating, and rebounding. Results also indicate that Black…

Relations between classroom contexts and young children's self-regulated learning were examined through the use of writing and portfolio activities. Findings support sociocognitive models of learning regarding how classroom contexts affect students' beliefs, values, expectations, and actions. (Author/GCP)

Addresses the lack of theory and directing constructs for reflective practice in teacher education, reviewing Vygotskyian and Piagetian theoretical tenets, relating them to a developmental action/reflection framework for adult learners, and summarizing a taxonomy for differentiating reflection according to adult learners' needs. Summarizes the…

Sylwester says education must begin relying more on biology than social and behavioral science. All brain systems move from a slow, awkward functional level to a fast, efficient level. Contributions of metacognition, self-regulation, emotions, reflective and reflexive responses, comparison, and classification to cognitive development are…

Tested competing causal models concerning the relationship between children's social behaviors and theory of mind in 3- and 4-year-olds tested 3 times over 7 months. Found that false belief performance predicted joint planning and role assignment during pretend play, after taking into account initial performance on joint planning and role…

Discusses instructional technology in the context of the whole learning environment instead of just in terms of computers and software. Considers assessment of instructional technology, including the role of the student, identifying the learning theory behind a specific instructional application, behaviorism, cognitive development, and faculty…