Uses the author's experience writing, "Harriet Beecher Stowe: A Life," as a centerpiece for an examination of the art and craft of biography. Discusses some of the pitfalls and problems, not only in research and representation, but also in the critical reception and intended audience of a biography. (MJP)

This article discusses adults with brain injuries and resulting cognitive communicative disorders. The incidence of brain injuries, the effects of cognitive-communication disorders, the role of the speech-language pathologist, the benefits of treatment, and the effects of different treatments are discussed. Charts are included that summarize…

This article discusses the use of dynamic assessment for determining language delays in Latino American preschool children and compares dynamic with traditional assessment. Two case studies of Latino American preschool children (ages three and four) are described to illustrate the increased accuracy in student assessment by using dynamic…

Synthesizes opinions of experts regarding technologies deemed most likely to enter the telecommunications mainstream by 1998, including: (1) the Java programming language; (2) voice- over frame relay; (3) virtual local area networks (LANs); (4) cable modems; (5) gigabit LANs; (6) Internet appliances; (7) personal satellite phones; (8) intranets;…

Examined the interrelationships between learning approaches, study motivation, hours of study, perceived workload, English language ability, and grade point average among 174 students in a mechanical engineering course at a Hong Kong university who completed a week-long study diary. Found that the variables were weakly interrelated. Perceived work…

Describes those features that distinguish human tutorial explanations from those produced by computer-based instructional systems utilizing natural language interfaces. This is illustrated through a study conducted on an intelligent instruction system, drawing comparisons between student interaction with a human tutor and the system feedback.…

Focuses on the efficacy of computer use for learning Kanji characters and improving Japanese vocabulary levels, with reference to software designed to improve Kanji learning in a self-access learning mode. Findings reveal that all the students in an Australian university using the computer to learn Kanji increased their grades and that those most…

Evaluates software developed for advanced learners of a second language. The software uses the target language (German) exclusively, brings together language and literature teaching, and includes a large variety of written exercises with scored feedback. Findings reveal that students are enthusiastic about using this multimedia program and…

Describes a computer assisted language learning course that includes the construction of student home pages, with particular focus on second language acquisition, student interaction, development of technical skills and class participation. Findings reveal that students experience a sense of achievement when other people comment on their home…

Reports a study of first-year A-level college students studying a foreign language in southwest England. The results concern students' perceptions of the way they chose their A-level subjects and of those subjects a few weeks into the courses. Results reveal a lack of confidence among the girls despite their superior academic qualifications to the…

The relationship between parent-child interactions and early literacy skills in children (ages 1-3) for 27 families living in low-income households was examined. Results found child language, parent language, emotional tone, joint attention, parental guidance, and parental responsivity behaviors were strongly related to later receptive vocabulary,…

A Canada Native with hearing and vision disabilities describes his educational experiences of being isolated because he was deaf and Aboriginal. He now works as a deaf/hearing translator and as an advocate for urban Natives with disabilities who need culturally appropriate services. Hearing persons cannot lead deaf Native literacy programs because…

A longitudinal study investigated developmental change in theory of mind among 57 children (ages 4-14) with autism. Theory of mind tests were administered on an initial visit and one year later. Data indicated significant developmental improvement in theory of mind ability, which was primarily related to the children's language ability. (Contains…

A longitudinal study examined the performance of 50 African American children (ages 4-6) from low- and middle- income homes on a reading comprehension test. Preliminary results indicate two measures predicted later reading comprehension for children from low income homes, use of complex syntax and shape matching. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Anxiety can impede language learning. By using the Community Language Learning method, a teacher helped young Spanish-language learners in Puerto Rico break through almost impenetrable social and psycholinguistic barriers that threatened their capability of learning a new language. This method focuses on strategies that reduce anxiety as the…