A training experiment with 30 mentally handicapped children tested two models of mental-arithmetic development. Children's initial responses to a mental-addition task appeared to be the product of a mechanical prescription. Errors appeared to be more errors of method than of recall. (MNS)

Identifying the main points of a communication is fundamental to successful reading comprehension. Discussed are difficulties in defining main idea, text structure variables in determining important information, textual hierarchy and the theory of macrostructure, text features signalling important information, summary writing, learning-disabled…

Instructors who are sensitive to the needs of adult students promote a classroom atmosphere conducive to learning. Students learn best when following a well-organized program of instruction. (JOW)

Investigated relationships among metamemory, memory behavior, and memory performance of children aged 4 to 6 in two experiments. Results indicated an increase in preschoolers' ability to establish relationships between cues and targets even if these were not highly associated. (RWB)

Reviews research conducted to determine if learning to program in Logo has a positive effect on other aspects of thinking, based on Seymour Papert's findings on Logo. The appropriateness of research on Logo and programming is discussed, and research studies involving elementary and secondary school children are briefly described. (LRW)

Graduate faculty in six fields of study judged (1) the importance for academic success of various analytical skills; (2) the seriousness of various reasoning errors; and (3) the degree to which "critical incidents" had affected their estimations of students' analytical abilities. (Author/MLW)

Lists the initial readings to be codified in the public relations body of knowledge. Categories include foundations of public relations, organizational and managerial context, the communication and relationship context, public relations processes, elements and functions of professional practice, and contexts for professional practice. (MM)

Guidelines are provided for evaluating research on the process approach to the teaching of writing to exceptional children. Focus is on the roles of the teacher and the learner. Suggestions are presented for further research, specifically in the areas of fluency, the functions of writing, and the effects of instruction. (Author/JDD)

Reviews research that demonstrates parallels between general linguistic and cognitive processes in human language acquisition and avian acquisition of song and discusses how such research may provide new insights into the processes of second-language acquisition. (Author/CB)

Explores content or contextual validity of social rule classifications produced by sample of 12-year-old child coders. Analyses of variances revealed that categorization schemes generated by child coders were contextually valid as determined by raters' mean ratings. (Author/RWB)

A study of changes in the intellectual behaviors in the classrooms of 29 student teachers of social studies across three periods of practice teaching is described. Student behaviors on the final practicum were compared with those of experienced teachers. Results are discussed. (Author/MT)

Investigates the relationship between hemisphere, brain preferences, and academic failure or success by studying 131 average and above average fourth and seventh grade students. Concludes that cerebral hemisphere functions do affect learning. (MM)

Educators have shown great interest in teaching thinking in the last five years. This overview introduces thinking skills instruction as the theme of this issue of "Educational Leadership" and distinguishes three different approaches: teaching for thinking, teaching about thinking, and teaching of thinking. (TE)

The notion that thinking can be taught as a separate skill is a philosophical mistake. Teachers who are knowledgeable about their subject, who understand how it differs from other disciplines, and who can convey this to their students are already teaching thinking skills. (TE)

Recent research in cognition and motivation offers practical applications to help underachieving students perform more effectively in college. Teachers can help students learn to process information better, encourage them to be active learners and be better organized, assist them in coping with anxiety, and change course structure to change…