The study compared need values and locus of control, as measured by Rotter's I-E Scale. The locus of control variable showed an already noted trend towards greater externality. (Author)

Four types of proportionality problems were administered to: (1) secondary school students who were enrolled in Project Physics, and (2) students not enrolled in physics. Both samples were randomly selected. Groups were not found to differ significantly in problem solving ability but both revealed that the ability to solve certain problems was…

Scores on a 30 item Piagetian test were used to predict: (1) Subject's surname (Spanish vs. non-Spanish); (2) Subject's language (Spanish spoken at home or not spoken at home); (3) Subject's letter grade in science, and (4) Subjects score on a science test. Anglo-American subjects were found to achieve significantly higher than did…

Debates as to the appropriateness of using the Karplus Islands Puzzle as an instrument to assess formal-operational thought. (CP)

Investigates whether students could more easily remember synthetic words by rehearsing with definitions, examples, or sentence composing. Concludes that students who used sentence composing performed better on a posttest than those who had rehearsed using examples and definitions. (SRT)

A comparison of Anglo and Navajo students' perceptions of school achievement tests revealed a cultural dichotomy concerning the significance and purpose of tests. Study results pose policy questions: Should students be enculturated into test-taking values or should testing forms be changed to reflect cultural considerations of valued knowledge?…

Research on structural learning theory is reviewed as a base for designing computer-assisted instruction programs. An intelligent "Rule Tutor" emphasizing diagnosis and remediation for whole number concepts is described. (MNS)

Reports on a study into the relationship between a student's ability to solve problems in chemistry and his/her understanding of molecular concepts. Argues that teaching students to solve problems about chemistry is not equivalent to teaching about the nature of matter. (TW)

The theoretical and reference frameworks developed in a 1982 study proved effective for developing a constructivist approach leading children to build a meaningful and efficient symbolism of number. Results of a three-year longitudinal study are described. (MNS)

Examined the effects of Piagetian-like tasks' characteristics on the performance of those tasks by different age group students. Indicates the method of task presentation had an effect only on young students' performance, while numerical content had an effect on the majority of students in all grades. (Author/CW)

Outlines model of experiential learning process based on personal construct theory. Suggests that, through sensitivity training, participants' construct systems become modified, either by defining constructs to understand self and others, or by incorporating new themes into the construct system to provide broader understanding of interpersonal…

Models the ideas of children's misconceptions and subsequent acceptance of conventional scientific thought on the simple cusp of catastrophe theory. Demonstrates one theory of the forces which are necessary to change a misconception to a scientific concept. (CW)

Describes the Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) Program, designed to develop thinking skills and improve academic achievement for disadvantaged students in grades four through six by using computers. Highlights include curriculum development, teacher training, and the development of new approaches to existing software. (LRW)

Reviews language attrition research as well as analyzes characteristics of acquisition and attrition of first- and second-language skills. The relationship between language and memory is also discussed. Research results are summarized in appendix. (Author/LMO)

Discusses the links between classroom teaching activities and the learning of different textual forms. Presents results from a three-year study of one teacher's classroom interactions and activities. Advocates a theory of genre acquisition of different kinds of text form by young learners which is anchored in contextually relevant data. (MM)