Examines the purpose of the methodology course for inservice teacher training. After considering the difficulties arising when trainees' and trainers' goals differ, the article broadens its focus to cover a more general training context and presents a model allowing trainers who recommend a learner-centered approach to put their ideas into…

Discusses the results of presenting an animated movie conveying the theme of preserving the natural environment to non-English-speaking Mexican children in English-as-a-Second-Language classes as a stimulus for concentrating on English comprehension. Findings indicate that 42% of the students reviewed showed English comprehension and 30% described…

Interlinks crucial cultural themes emerging from preceding chapters, highlighting the contextual constraints in adolescents' use of free time. Draws parallels across the nations discussed on issues related to how school molds leisure time, the balance of passive versus active leisure, timing of leisure pursuits, and the cumulative effect of…

Details evaluation of the West Virginia site of a federally-funded program to maintain early achievement gains viewed as crucial in alleviating poverty-linked social distress. Notes that the Post-Head Start Transition evaluation showed no achievement gains. Asserts that findings provide no support for a general policy of early and continuing…

Fast mapping of novel words for objects was compared in 48 children/adolescents with Down syndrome and 48 mental-age matched children. The groups did not differ in their ability to infer a connection between the novel word and referent, comprehend the novel word after a single exposure, and produce the novel word correctly. (Author/JDD)

This article takes a functional approach to relationships between make-believe play and language development. It is argued that play and early literacy share similarities of function and social context, and therefore both prepare children for similar symbol-using processes. Transformation from oral language to literacy and implications for…

Investigates how readers use schemata and purpose in learning vocabulary from context. Examines Sternberg's model of verbal comprehension acquisition as well as the interaction among vocabulary acquisition and components of the reading process. Finds the effects of comprehension ability and purpose are significant, while the effect of schemata is…

This study compares responses of four- to seven-year-old children (n=10) with articulatory disorders under the two-picture elicitation procedure for compound words and a single-picture elicitation procedure. Results indicate that type of elicitation stimulus is a factor for consideration in assessing contextual influences. Findings parallel…

The article offers a contextual and functional approach to the development of visual skills in students with concomitant visual and multiple disabilities. A decision-making strategy is provided to aid the vision specialist in maximizing effective intervention. A case study illustrates the decision-making steps. (Author/DB)

Explores the influences of context upon the writing of 18-year-olds in 6 subject areas in a secondary school in London, England. Examines how students and teachers negotiate compromises between using writing to understand discipline-specific concepts and using writing to pass examinations. (KEH)

Basic premise informs the previous two articles in this same "International Journal of Educational Reform" issue: education involves knowledge and power; the social construction of literacy cannot be understood outside the political realm. Minority communities must challenge compulsory schooling rituals that mystify rather than liberate and…

Four experiments involving 440 college students in the Philippines and United States examined the effects of symbolic knowledge and problem-information context on translating relational statements into mathematical equations. Results indicate that symbolic knowledge is not always easily accessible in contexts that differ from ordinary…

This article describes an ecocultural approach to assessing families of young children with developmental disabilities, drawing heavily on information about families' daily routines and accommodations. The role of place and context in assessment is discussed, and case material from two current projects is provided to illustrate the assessment and…

Presents the results of a study that show that children value their home experiences above any experiences at school and that factors promoting the development of skills in the mother tongue are socially defined in the family and influenced by the environment in which they live. Educators should respect skills already developed at home. (22…

In this study, researchers observed third graders' physical activity levels and associated variables in physical education classes in four Child and Adolescent Trial for Cardiovascular Health centers nationwide. Results found significant differences among centers for physical activity and lesson context variables. During free play, boys were more…