Examined the different influences of comprehension-skill and domain-knowledge components on learning from text. Found that learning from an expanded text with explicit causal relations was related to reading comprehension skill rather than prior knowledge, whereas learning from an unexpanded text that did not spell out causes was a function of…

Describes some recent studies which establish that meaningful learning can be promoted by a certain type of questioning activity, called elaborative interrogation, that leads students to activate prior knowledge and tie it to the new information. (SR)

Describes an intelligent computer-assisted learning system that is able to generate individualized courses of instruction for students with different background knowledge and different purposes. Highlights include system architecture; domain knowledge base and student model; authoring by the teacher; courseware planning; and pedagogical tuning by…

Two experiments studied how preschool children acquire a naive theory of kinship (NTK). Overall, results implicate a type of theory building that involves inferences from preexisting knowledge rather than structural change, use of analogy, or acquisition of new knowledge. (DR)

Examines material imported into emergent readings--material that is not contained in the original written text of a book--as evidence of the types of information emergent readers use. Pinpoints four sources of nontext importations in the emergent readings: material from illustrations, from prior read-aloud sessions, from personal experience and…

A survey was taken on support for park and wilderness fire control policies, examining attitude-behavioral intention relationships for prior site visitation and topic discussion at three levels. At higher levels of experience and discussion, there was improved prediction of intention to support the policy from attitudes; attitudes were frequently…

Describes systematic assessment procedures as alternatives to standardized testing which yield more descriptive records of children's reading abilities. Notes that the assessment procedures are consistent with the contemporary understanding of reading which indicates that prior knowledge and the ability to use predictive skills greatly influence…

Finds that powerlessness, social isolation, dogmatic nationalism, age, and gender significantly predict historical illiteracy (unfamiliarity with historical facts) and that a completed college history course reduced the effects of the predicting factors. (SR)

Investigates how structural variables influence readers' construction of meaning. Finds that textual variables operate differently depending on the extent of the readers' background knowledge and linguistic competence. Shows that variable such as exposure to reading materials (in both first and second languages), background knowledge, and…

Argues that using reading strategies in mathematics classes can help students understand mathematical concepts. Discusses five principles for mathematics teachers to use in incorporating reading strategies in the classroom. (RS)

Suggests that teachers can work with children to help them learn to "read" pictures using current models of reading comprehension as a guide. Discusses three steps in this process: connecting prior knowledge to illustrations, using picture clues, and extracting meaning from the words and sentences. (MG)

Traces the history of the shift in reading evaluation, outlines the new view of reading, and addresses current assessment trends, including prior knowledge, strategic reading, process measurements, use of authentic texts, and habits and attitudes. Discusses overall diagnostic models such as informal, dynamic, and portfolio assessments. (RS)

Introduces the FLIP (Friendliness, Language, Interest, Prior Knowledge) framework to help middle and secondary students examine their reading assignments and develop appropriate plans of action. Includes a rationale for the framework, a description of it, and suggestions for classroom implementation. (SR)

Examines the relative contributions of both verbal ability and prior knowledge to comprehension and memory for a televised movie, in both immediate and delayed recall conditions. Suggests that, although both factors aid in the comprehension process, they do so in different ways. (SR)

A study presented four groups of chess players (child experts and novices, adult experts and novices) with short-term memory tasks involving meaningful and random chess positions, as well as a control board composed of geometric-shaped spaces and pieces. Found that child experts' immediate recall for meaningful chess positions was far superior to…