Considers the relevance of cognitive learning theory to instructional design for effective learning. Highlights include the organization of knowledge; systems approach; cognitive process learning; schema theory; and components of a model for instructional design, including pretesting, motivational considerations, media selection, and validation.…

Evaluates the ultimate goals of environmental and ecological education. Examines two versions of an established outdoor ecology program in a national park. Surveys students (N=700) using knowledge statements. Contains 64 references. (DDR)

Reports on a revision to the National Curriculum for Science in Great Britain that carries the danger of reverting to more prescriptive work with less emphasis on whole investigations. Uses a comparison between two exercises. (DDR)

Presents a longitudinal case study of a child with a phonological disorder. Demonstrates an asymmetrical pattern of consonant cluster development with two different reduction strategies. Argues that the child first represents all clusters as single underlying units, later representing only certain clusters as single units. Formulated within…

Treats, in a systematic and principled manner, representations studied in situated literacy and an associated methodological approach based on semantic analysis that characterizes the representations. Illustrates application of the method for four situated-literacy examples: mother/child word-naming games; children's story writing; journalistic…

Three experiments demonstrated that increasing the length of a mobile serial list impaired 6-month olds' memory for serial order. Findings indicated that the primacy effect was absent on a 24-hour delayed recognition test and was exhibited on a reactivation test, adding to growing evidence that young infants possess two functionally distinct…

Established the differential maturation of rapid-speaking durations and the durations of interword pauses in the memory-span-task responses of first, third and fifth graders. Found that a particular memory span is accompanied by different profiles of processing rates in children of different ages. (Author)

Introduces a descriptive system of analysis of peer-group interaction that consists of a three-dimensional analysis of peer-group interaction by focusing on the functions of verbal interaction and the nature of cognitive processing and social processing. Twenty 12-year-old students from one Finnish classroom participated in the study. Empirical…

This study follows up on a study of the issue of second-language (L2) inner speech as it manifests in mental rehearsal among advanced L2 learners. The purpose of the study was to find out to what extent advanced L2 learners experience inner speech as mental rehearsal and to identify characteristics and functions of such inner speech. (Author/VWL)

Presents an action-oriented research account of higher-order cognitive skills (HOCS)-oriented teaching of organic chemistry to freshman and sophomore science majors in small and large classes at a relatively small and large university respectively. Finds that inquiry-oriented class discussions, students' active involvement in the learning process,…

Examines students' beliefs about knowledge, and their motivation, learning strategies, and academic performance in two instructional contexts in introductory Calculus classes. Sophistication of epistemological beliefs was positively correlated with motivation, self-efficacy, self-regulation, and grades. Students in the more active, cooperative…

Randomly selected high school students (n=13) who studied an ecology unit were interviewed, and narrative data analyzed for changes in knowledge schema. Data support the current theory that the amount and quality of prior knowledge substantially influence gains in new knowledge and are closely linked to a capacity to apply higher-order cognitive…

Developed a multidimensional measure of affect and cognition in relation to adult learning of computing skills, the Computer Anxiety and Learning Measure (CALM). Results from 794 Australian undergraduates support the validity and reliability of the CALM with this population, although whether the measure is invariant across different adult…

Explores situated cognition, arguing that the construct of "community of practice" is useful as an analytical lens in which to examine the domain of educational technology. Traces the history of educational technology, and how it is embedded in a larger social and political environment that excludes those who exist on the margins from…

This study analyzed the social information processing of 26 secondary students with behavioral disorders following assignment to in-school suspension. Analysis of student responses indicated that the interaction between students' perceived hostile intent of teachers and reactive aggression predicted the number of assignments to in-school…