Presents a study that investigates the knowledge and skills that relate to computer programing. Finds that knowledge and procedural skills are related to computer programing. Recommends that since instruction in computer programing facilitates problem-solving, computer programing courses should be augmented to include teaching template and…

Discusses ways in which children's language arts skills, cognitive knowledge, and emotional growth are developed when international children's literature is used in the teaching of a content area. A description of a unit of study includes activities and books that might be used in the study of nocturnal animals. (NH)

Criticizes the Mitchell and Lawson (1988) report from the viewpoint of individual interview method. Provides Lawson's reply to the comment by showing differences in research philosophy and methods. (YP)

Examines role of play and experiential learning in early childhood education. Summarizes educational experiments and research projects on outdoor experiential play for enhancing adventuresomeness, self challenge, cognitive development, and socialization of young children. Suggests need for traditional and experiential educators to develop…

Examines the interaction between mode of computer assisted instruction and cognitive style on the understanding of concept relationships and mastery of factual information. Finds learners are more effective when matched to the appropriate mode of computer assisted instruction. (MVL)

Reviews various evidences on the relationship between age and the reception of major innovations in science. Examines the possibility that age patterning of reception may vary over time. Reports the potential importance of age on the reception of ideas while rejecting the presumption that advanced age leads to increased resistance. (YP)

Examines the role of metaphors in teaching science. Suggests that when such expressions are used correctly, they can greatly enhance learning. Argues that metaphors also enable students to create new and interesting formations of thought. (CW)

Analysis of statements by 869 students and 21 faculty at Queensland University of Technology (Australia) concerning learning, using the SOLO (structure of observed learning outcomes) Taxonomy, identified key concepts in learning in eight categories: learning definitions; factors influencing learning; learning strategies; learning styles; aspects…

Children's magical explanations and beliefs were investigated in two studies. Found that many four-year olds view magic as a plausible mechanism, yet reserve magical explanations for certain real world events that violate their causal expectations. Parents and culture at large may at first actively support magical beliefs whereas peers and schools…

Studies the language proficiency of the Turkish returnees from Germany who were either born in Germany or emigrated there with their parents at a young age. Results indicate that returnees have a deficit in cognitive academic language proficiency compared to control groups and that a correlation exists between language proficiency in Turkish,…

Examined the developmental sequence through which adolescents progress in solving a physics problem (balance beam ratio and proportion) and a social problem (predicting the behavior of a story character). Although most of the 9- through 19-year-olds performed at predictable and similar developmental stages on each task, a minority were more…

Compares results of story telling to kindergarten students using text only, helpful video, and minimal video. Results indicate that multimedia technologies are valuable tools for supporting the development of story comprehension, mental model building, and literacy in young children who are at-risk for school failure. Sample stories used in…

Presents three studies of children's ability to create and detect expressions of emotion in drawings. Compared to younger children, older children used more strategies, experimented with line and color, and were more likely to explore themes of death, aging, and illness. Includes sample drawings and statistical tables. (MJP)

A sample of 25 children exposed prenatally to cocaine was compared with a control group of 18 children not exposed to any drugs prenatally. Using the AGS (American Guidance Service) Screening Profile, results indicated that the control group was significantly superior on all subtests except for the Motor Coordination and Speech Articulation…

Reports on a study of 120 (60 boys, 60 girls) middle school students in Bophuthatswana on the relation of academic achievement to self-concept and locus of control. Finds that measures of extraversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism are related negatively to school achievement. (CFR)