A program in Singapore tested 2,361 seventh graders using the Scholastic Assessment Test--Mathematics (SAT-M) to identify exceptional mathematical ability. Interviews with the 7 students scoring above 700 explored their family background, educational level of parents, interests, and career aspirations. Comparisons with U.S. and Chinese students…

A study of 288 students with moderate to severe mental retardation investigated the relationship between curricular activities and problem behaviors. Findings indicated a positive correlation between ratings of curricular activities (based on activities being socially functional, peer referenced, and behaviorally functional) and students'…

Describes a study that investigated how linkage environments in a hypertext-based bibliographic retrieval system affected retrieval performance for novice and experienced searchers. Two systems, one with interrecord linkages to authors and descriptors and one that also included title and abstract keywords, were tested. (Author/LRW)

This study examined agreement between naturalistic verbalizations and emission of referent actions in 15 individuals (ages 20 to 39) with mild-to-moderate mental retardation. The proportion of communicative agreement in the Do-say sequence was significantly greater than the proportion observed in the Say-do sequence. Significantly higher agreement…

Presents a guide, derived from the Situational Leadership model, which describes the process that should be used in facilitating a group discussion. The process includes preparation, assessment, diagnosis, prescription, development, reinforcement, and follow-up. Three figures depict the Situational Leadership model, the facilitation process, and…

Describes a proposed model for considering sensory processing as an important factor in young children's performance. Discusses ways the model can be used to provide a framework for understanding various patterns of behavior; identify disabilities (poor registration, sensitivity to stimuli, sensation seeking, and sensation avoiding); and develop…

Discussion of data storage technology for multimedia materials highlights a new signature file method that divides files into variable-sized vertical frames to optimize response time using partial query evaluation. Real data experiments that tested the response time are reported, and future work is discussed. (Author/LRW)

Results of a personality assessment questionnaire revealed three basic personality characteristics which are predictive of student achievement in telecourses: (1) high performers were the most self-sufficient; (2) the least compulsive students earned the highest grades in their courses; and (3) telecourse students who performed at the highest…

Discussion of human performance technology focuses on training and performance improvement. Highlights include performance maintenance; environmental influences that can affect performance; and the evolving role of human performance technology, including feedback, evaluation, and design efforts. (LRW)

Examined associations between sleep and neurobehavioral functioning (NBF) in second-, fourth-, and sixth-graders. Found significant correlations between sleep- quality measures and NBF measures, particularly for the younger age group. Children with fragmented sleep were characterized by lower performance on NBF measures, particularly those…

Discusses Web information searches and identifies three types of user profile acquisition modes used in filtering systems: a rule-base, user-driven mode; an explicit learning mode; and an implicit learning mode. Describes a study of undergraduates that examined the influence of user involvement in these modes and their impact on profile accuracy…

Four studies examined whether 16-month-olds' responses to true/false utterances interacted with their knowledge of human agents. Findings suggested that infants are developing a critical conception of human speakers as truthful communicators and that infants understand that human speakers may provide uniquely useful information when a word fails…

Three experiments examined development of perceptual causality in 3- to 9-year-olds. Findings indicated that participants of all ages assigned contact events (A moves toward B, which moves upon contact) to the physical domain and non-contact events (B moves before contact) to the psychological domain. Participants chose causality more often for…

Two studies examined age-related change in proactive interference from previously learned material. The meta-analysis of 26 studies indicated that proactive interference decreased with age. The cross-sectional study found that third through sixth graders' and college students' recall was accurate on Trial 1, but became less so over Trials 2…

Discusses a redefinition of learning and considers implications for instructional design and educational technology. Topics include creativity; changing performance capability by instruction; preparing students for lifelong learning; interactions with our environment; the role of curiosity and challenge; learning as dialogue; and emotional needs.…