Explores the mismatch between pedagogical intentions and learner outcomes and argues for learner centeredness as a central (yet relative) concept. Ways in which the relationship between teachers and learners and teaching and learning can be strengthened, e.g., experiential content, language content, and learning process, are explored, and examples…

Examines the relationships of individual difference variables to end-of-training proficiency ratings in speaking and reading for a large sample of adults in intensive training in a wide range of languages at the U.S. Department of State. Variables included tested cognitive aptitude, learning strategies, learning styles, personality, motivation and…

Discusses the assumption that linguistic heterogeneity reflects social heterogeneity. The article examines a challenge to this assumption evident in the Gaelic-speaking communities of East Sutherland, Scotland, with homogeneous populations showing well-established patterns of language variation that do not correlate with socioeconomic status. (38…

Contends that this is an exciting and troubling time for historians. Discusses changes in historiography in recent years, particularly in relation to the historical role of minority groups and women. Outlines changing concepts of slavery, liberty, and freedom in U.S. history. (CFR)

Reviews the role of political history throughout 100 years of historiography in the "American Historical Review." Presents 2 choices available to political historians who wish to reclaim their central place in history. Reviews recent research and interpretations of political history. (CFR)

Maintains that a recent survey of historians reveals a love of history and of history teaching, and a commitment to civic betterment. Discusses the issue of cultural diversity and unity within the profession and contemporary historical writing. Outlines the discipline's relation to a larger public, including graduate students. (CFR)

Describes an ethnographic study that called for observing and listening to young inner-city learners as they engaged in reading and writing, and developing field note accounts about what learners did during these periods. The paper examines complexities in learning to interpret the children's perspectives, such as the need to include home visits…

To investigate the origins and nature of intuitive obstacles affecting the learning of elementary probability theory, 618 Italian elementary and middle school students were interviewed about their methods of solution for several problems dealing with probability. The discussion focuses on four varieties of obstacles to learning prevalent within…

Compares California State University alumni survey ratings evaluating each social science major in developing basic employment skills. Concludes that, although sociology received mediocre ratings compared to the other social science majors in the latest study, the ratings are improving. Reports substantially lower incomes for women alumnae as…

The bibliography provides 19 annotated citations of research reports, journal articles, and dissertations concerning second-language writing instruction that have become available April 1-July 31, 1992. Topics include knowledge transfer and loss across languages, rhetoric, translation vs. direct composition, revision processes and patterns,…

Compares opinions of students from secondary, vocational, and technicums technical schools in the USSR on why Soviet students drink alcohol. Reasons include companionship, celebrations, curiosity, and imitation. Investigates gender differences. Underscores student naivete about alcohol's effects. Indicates discrepancies between students' stated…

A survey of chief academic officers (CAOs) and library directors at 96 research institutions revealed great similarities in their perceptions of institutional priorities; however, the CAOs ranked making electronic information available on campus or supporting the development of a national education/research network much lower than the library…

Provides direction for developing appropriate and meaningful social studies instruction for the development of responsible citizenship in adolescents. Suggests that curriculum design should have some relationship to physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development. Identifies concerns with the self, right and wrong, others, and the world…

A survey of 94 department heads and 112 graduate supervisors at 5 Canadian universities investigated organizational and administrative practices concerning graduate programs and factors affecting successful completion of/withdrawal from graduate programs. Factors identified include student motivation, quality of supervision, student selection,…

Discusses changes in student attitudes, beliefs, behavior, and the nature and quality of mathematics activity in the classroom resulting from a constructivist-oriented inservice program for teachers (K-12). Although instruction focused more on conceptual understanding, student scores on standardized tests were maintained. Appendix includes…