Discusses the nature of control, examining how organisms as control systems sense or monitor the variable being controlled when responding to environmental changes. Argues that learning is the development of control in an attempt to fit the two phenomena central to traditional learning theory--conditioning and reinforcement--into the broader…

Reviews the major contributions of Alfred Binet. Explains why the fame of the Binet-Simon Intelligence Scale was so long lasting whereas that of his other contributions was so fleeting. Discusses implications of his contributions for current efforts to formulate unified theories of cognition and cognitive development. (Author/GLR)

Explains three learning theories (i.e., behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism) and examines how each can be used for planning and conducting instructional design activities. Historical foundations are discussed, and comparisons are made concerning how learning occurs, the role of memory, how transfer occurs, and types of learning. (Contains…

This article reviews the principles and shortcomings associated with the mechanistic and holistic models of teaching and learning. Speech language pathologists and teachers are urged to exploit the plurality of theories available in developing effective interventions. (DB)

Hypermedia computer-based education (HCBE) is described and research on its instructional effectiveness is examined, including the relevance of several learning theories and instructional strategies. It is proposed that HCBE in social work education can emulate the dynamic, iterative learning process of knowledge acquisition, testing, and…

Discussion of situated cognition and legitimate peripheral participation focuses on responses to criticism of an earlier article. Highlights include postmodernism; modern rationalism; educational technology; the distinction between information and judgment; feminist and critical theories; knowledge creation; constructivism; and instructional…

Proposes a model for the growth of mathematical understanding based on the consideration of understanding as a whole, dynamic, leveled but nonlinear process. Illustrates the model using the concept of fractions. How to map the growth of understanding is explained in detail. (Contains 26 references.) (MKR)

This paper presents a pedagogy of teacher education that uses hypermedia technology to represent the complexities of actual work in classrooms and make multiple images of innovative teaching and learning available for study. A course in which hypermedia tools are used to involve prospective teachers in inquiry learning about mathematics teaching…

This paper proposes that research on a constructivist approach for students with disabilities should emphasize specific instructional and assessment practices, as opposed to broad educational ideologies. The value of a particular instructional or assessment practice (such as constructivism) is probably dependent upon context and learner…

Considers the question of whether instructional methods are replaceable or interchangeable. Topics discussed include the influence of external events on learning and cognitive processes, media variables, linking instructional design to research on learning from instruction, construct validity, and an example of adequate instructional design and…

Nominal-level analysis of 4 primary learning styles (doing, thinking, watching, and feeling) of 292 subjects (mostly college students) from the Learning Styles Inventory demonstrated their discriminant/convergent validity but not the validity of the learning-style types suggested by D. A. Kolb (1976) (accommodator, diverger, converger, and…

Describes issues raised at the 1991 annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association (AERA). Highlights include the formation of a new division that would address concerns dealing with research on computer-based educational technologies; new developments in courseware, video technology, and interactive multimedia; learning theories…

Persuasion is presented as it may be applied by science educators in research and practice. The orientation taken is that science educators need to be acquainted with persuasion in the context of social influence and learning theory to be able to evaluate its usefulness as a mechanism for developing and changing science-related attitudes. (KR)

The concept of metacognition is discussed, with a review of attempts at definition. A. Brown's (1987) four historical roots of metacognition--verbal reports as data, executive control, self-regulation, and other-regulation--are summarized. Influence from the developmental theory of L. S. Vygotsky (1978) may result in a clearer conceptualization of…

Discusses that Gestalt principles are especially well suited to teaching music. Identifies the laws of proximity, similarity, common direction, and simplicity in the notation system. Suggests that music teachers use these principles by following a logical progression to teach students to improve musical skills, solve problems, and think in…