This paper describes the philosophy of intelligent instructional systems and presents an example of one such system in the domain of manipulative mathematics--BLOCKS. The notion of BLOCKS as a paradigmatic system is explicated from both the system development and educational viewpoints. From a developmental point of view, the modular design of…

High Intensity Tutoring is a cross-age tutoring project for sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. The project features drill in basic reading and math facts and the use of programed workbooks. Teachers distribute candy and other rewards on the basis of points earned by students acting as either tutors or tutees. Tutor-tutee pairs are assigned so…

In a variety of ways many universities and colleges are experimenting with new approaches to improve teacher education, most designed to further the individualization of instruction. Attention has been called to the following new developments: (1) forms of self-directed inquiry; (2) individualized skill and affective development; (3) self-analysis…

The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of tutoring low achievers on the concepts of carrying and borrowing before they were introduced in the classroom. Twelve low-achieving second-grade students were tutored on these concepts. The tutored children, along with members of two control groups, participated in a pretest covering these…

In writing laboratories where theme-writing constitutes the central emphasis of the program, other developments may parallel the progress in language-usage improvement. Among these beneficial by-products of writing are self-identification, self-confidence, humanitarian concern, and aesthetic appreciation. Learning experiences in a tutorial system…

Part of a larger investigation of cross-age interaction in one-room schools, this study focused on the extent and characteristics of peer tutoring in contemporary one-room schools. Since Nebraska had more one-teacher schools (626 in 1971-72) than any other state, all one-teacher schools with an enrollment of 10 or more students in grades 1-6 or 8…

Three inservice teacher training projects in Los Angeles were described. The Saturation English-Reading In-Service Training Project was designed for English teachers who had received little or no previous training in the teaching of reading skills. Part of the training involved the making of lesson plans which could be used in the classroom. In…

The effects of parent-monitored practice at home on pupil performance in reading were investigated. The study used as instructional vehicles the Parent-Assisted Learning Program (PAL) and the Southwest Regional Laboratory's (SWRL) First-Year Communication Skills Program. PAL was designed to enable school personnel to establish a system whereby…

Studies were some problems of learning motivation and extrinsic reinforcement in a group of disadvantaged youngsters. Also tested was the hypothesis that learning would be facilitated for those children who received regular individual tutoring in addition to classroom instruction, regardless of conditions of reinforcement. Subjects were 60 Negro…

The Homework Helper Program with 100 centers in New York City, serving 1500 tutors and 4500 tutees, helps both tutors and tutees. Tutors (disadvantaged secondary school students) are paid $1.50-$2.00 an hour which helps them stay in school and gives them experiences of "success." Tutees (fourth, fifth, and sixth grade pupils performing…

In order to study empirically measurable characteristics of the tutorial relationship between an older student and a younger student, two separate investigations were conducted during two consecutive academic years, using different third graders as tutees and college or high school students as tutors in each study. The first research investigation…

The present study investigated, within a role theoretical framework, the effect of different degrees of pupil imitation on male and female tutors' attitudes. Seventy-two sixth-grade boys and girls tutored second graders of the same sex. A 3 (Pupil Imitation: High, Medium, and Low) x 2 (Pupil Liking: High and Medium) x 2 (Sex) factorial design was…

Contained in this document are some significant research references, suggestions for materials useful in individualized instruction, and a rational and description of a freshman writing program for college students needing remedial help. Some of the problems faced by composition teachers are presented, followed by a literature review of research…

The study investigated the effect of guided paraprofessional assistance on the academic achievement of lower achieving intermediate grade migrant children. It examined one possible means of overcoming some of the overwhelming handicaps experienced by migrant children by using indigenous paraprofessionals as a humanizing, tutorial factor. Eighty…

Developments in three areas relating to interactive capabilities on the SCHOLAR computer-assisted instruction (CAI) system are reported. The first section discusses the implementation of two presentation strategies in SCHOLAR -- the Tutorial mode and the Block-Test mode -- and offers a comparative evaluation of these two modes using high school…