Various definitions of the term critical reading or critical thinking lead to the author's view that the definition of critical reading as discerning propaganda or checking the factual validity of a statement has been overemphasized. What is needed in content areas today is critical analysis, defined as a process that involves taking the printed…

This 2 x 4 factorial experiment involved 40 high school teachers of vocational agriculture and their sophomore students. The primary purpose was to question the effectiveness of providing inservice teacher education to upgrade the subject matter competence of teachers and furnishing them with resource units. The findings were that inservice…

The purpose of this state-of-the-art paper is to provide an overview of simulation ("a representation of several variables in the same arrangement as they occur in a particular natural or artificial system"), particularly as it relates to the professional preparation of school personnel. After distinguishing between "simulation" and "simulation…

The educational system is wracked by three crises: the crisis of efficiency and support; the crisis of relevance and control; and the crisis of race and class. Concerning the first, budgeteers and law makers will soon want answers about the efficiency of the present distribution of educational tasks and levels, new programs, and the use of new…

A research design was created to investigate if adults participating in noncredit courses have different preferences for control of inclass learning activities. Only the variables of "reason for participation" and "type of content" were researched as to whether they affected preference for control. The study provides evidence that different adults…

This book is the official final report of the Commission on Non-Traditional Study's 2-year study containing its findings and major recommendations. It deals with lifelong learning, external degrees, new institutions, faculty involvement, new evaluation modes, educational technology, and college and community cooperation. It presents almost 60…

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between two aspects of higher education: the liberal arts and experiential learning. The thesis is that a combination of the traditional liberal arts objectives with the methods of experiential education can result in a strengthening of liberal education at a time when circumstances severely…

This conference report concerns one of the major issues in American higher education--the broadening of educational opportunities for the many adults who find it impractical or impossible to continue their education in the more conventional manner. The goal of the conference was to provide educators with information useful to the design of…

The ability of 120 children (mean ages 6.2, 8.2, 10.1, and 12.3) to perform discrimination learning and subsequent transposition tasks was observed utilizing three experimental conditions (overt-verbal, covert-verbal, and control). The performance of the subjects suggests that the child who is forced to verbalize his conceptual strategies will…

This study was designed to explore learning behavior of children following four specific preconditioning experiences: sensory deprivation, sensory bombardment, routine worksheet exercises, and a sensory awareness game. The study occurred in three parts: preconditioning of the subjects, teaching of a language skill, and performance of a task…

A learning system developed at Valencia Junior College (Florida) would incorporate educational and communication skills needed for the job market and give direction for the best educational path to pursue, using the skills the student already possesses. The learning system developed as an ascending spiral, intended to include a series of aptitude…

This report, while discussing briefly the rationale and methods utilized in the study, primarily focuses on the findings. A questionnaire was used to collect data, from 3 student population groups (those in residence halls, off-campus housing or commuting), concerning their needs and desires in 12 content areas: (1) art; (2) athletics; (3)…

The paper describes trends in student learning style preferences and identifies various characteristics of students associated with these preferences by examining data gathered from college students on three different occasions: at the time they entered college; at the end of their freshman year; and at the end of their sophomore year. By…

The purpose of this guide is to help school district committees composed of parents, community groups, teachers, administrators, and students develop a plan for improving reading instruction through an emphasis on individuals as learners. Included in the table of contents are: (1) "What Should We Do about Reading Instruction?" (2) "Why This…

This report evaluates the effectiveness of an experiential field study course at the University of Washington. The course, titled GST 250/350, has different goals from a traditional volunteer program in that the student's education and experience are paramount; the services he provides are secondary. The student's motivation also differs somewhat…