Discusses five classroom seating arrangements developed by Anthony Papalia that correspond to five learning styles: (1) traditional teacher-front for incremental learners; (2) half-circle for intuitive learners; (3) circle with teacher seated for sensory specialists; (4) small-group seating for emotionally involved learners; and (5) scattered…

Fifty preservice vocational teachers completed the Gregorc Style Delineator and received voice-input and dictation training. No differences appeared in performance or attitude for people with different learning styles. Students with concrete sequential learning styles and high attitudes toward technology had higher scores, those with low attitudes…

Australian business students (n=200) completed the Student's Orientation Questionnaire and Learning Preference Assessment (LPA). Results from correlation analysis supported the LPA's construct validity. The LPA is an effective measure of self-directed learning readiness in students over 20, but doubts exist about its use with those under 20. (SK)

In first study 40 adults over 65 completed the Mental Status Questionnaire; in a second, 134 elderly heart patients completed the Patient Learning Styles Questionnaire. Results showed use of crystallized intelligence enhanced learning. Older subjects preferred structure; authoritarian, expert teaching; and listening to presentations supplemented…

The triarchic theory posits that intelligence has analytical, creative, and practical aspects. Instructional and assessment methods should encourage and evaluate all three kinds of abilities, a balanced approach that can reach all students. (SK)

Explores idea of an Africentric worldview as means for reducing stress among African-American women. Suggests that restructuring worldview can alter the cognitive appraisals of potential stressful situations. Proposes that Africentric worldview framework has potential to counter negative images that often result in stressful appraisals of…

The Patient Learning Styles Questionnaire derived from Canfield and administered to 134 elderly coronary artery disease patients revealed the following order of learning preferences: structure, iconics, listening, direct experience, reading, achievement, affiliation, and eminence. Level of education significantly influenced preferred learning…

A comparison of 753 U.S. telecommunications workers with 655 in Hong Kong found a positive relationship between readiness for self-directed learning and job performance. U.S. respondents generally scored higher than did Hong Kong subjects on the Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale. (SK)

Argues for a constructivist perspective on approaches toward instructional leadership. Describes a study that tracked over 80 principals for 2 weeks and found that the qualitative difference in principals' performance was not explained by differences in their activities but rather by differences in meaning that they attributed to their activities.…

Undecided college students (n=74) learned decision-making strategies through a computer program. Results from the Career Decision Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Career Choice Report, and Assessment of Career Decision Making showed that strategies based on individual preference significantly increased decidedness and decreased indecision,…

A study to determine the preferred learning style of students (n=92) enrolled in the College of Agriculture at Ohio State University concluded that a field-independent learning style was preferred and that instructors need to be sensitive to learning style differences and should incorporate various teaching methods. (JOW)

Presented are two reviews of books relating to (1) problem solving and (2) the development of creativity. The books are "The Complete Problem Solver," 2d ed., by J. Hayes, and "The Nature of Creativity: Contemporary Psychological Perspectives," by T. Amabile. (DB)

To succeed in traditional classrooms, students must first learn not to talk, fidget, or move around. The neurophysiology field suggests that some students who do not succeed in school fail initially because their physiological needs are being controverted. This article explores the relationship between learning style and the field of…

Researchers and practitioners agree that learning styles stem from a nature/nurture combination; students of all styles can be successful learners; students are more successful when using their style strengths; and diverse teaching styles are essential. This article discusses implementation issues, cultural factors, alternative teaching styles,…

The Myers Briggs Type Indicator was completed by 82 preservice agricultural education teachers. All 16 types were reflected; the most common were Extrovert Sensing Thinking Judging (23%), Introvert Sensing Thinking Judging (18%), and Extrovert Sensing Feeling Judging (13%). (SK)