Examined the effects of Piagetian-like tasks' characteristics on the performance of those tasks by different age group students. Indicates the method of task presentation had an effect only on young students' performance, while numerical content had an effect on the majority of students in all grades. (Author/CW)

Outlines model of experiential learning process based on personal construct theory. Suggests that, through sensitivity training, participants' construct systems become modified, either by defining constructs to understand self and others, or by incorporating new themes into the construct system to provide broader understanding of interpersonal…

Models the ideas of children's misconceptions and subsequent acceptance of conventional scientific thought on the simple cusp of catastrophe theory. Demonstrates one theory of the forces which are necessary to change a misconception to a scientific concept. (CW)

Describes the Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) Program, designed to develop thinking skills and improve academic achievement for disadvantaged students in grades four through six by using computers. Highlights include curriculum development, teacher training, and the development of new approaches to existing software. (LRW)

Reviews language attrition research as well as analyzes characteristics of acquisition and attrition of first- and second-language skills. The relationship between language and memory is also discussed. Research results are summarized in appendix. (Author/LMO)

Discusses the links between classroom teaching activities and the learning of different textual forms. Presents results from a three-year study of one teacher's classroom interactions and activities. Advocates a theory of genre acquisition of different kinds of text form by young learners which is anchored in contextually relevant data. (MM)

Reviews current psychological research on the effects of time, discusses policy and practical implications, and proposes "productive time" rather than "allocated time" or "time-on-task" as a new focus of educational reform. Productive time allows students to engage in lessons adjusted to their differences in learning rate and background knowledge.…

Discusses several factors that may improve staff training on integrated library systems, including the application of andragogic learning theory, using effective on-the-job training techniques, the selection of trainers based on competencies, and visible administrative support during all phases of the staff training project. (37 references)…

Proposes a new way of discussing the writing process by drawing a line between Piaget's cognitive egocentrism and Vygotsky's inner speech. (FL)

Outlines some classroom techniques and learning modes for helping children manage change. Activities should emphasize the exercise of choice and the possibility of alternative "right" answers. Creative lessons, class discussions, and writing activities help students make decisions and gain some control over their life directions. (MLH)

Social learning theory, attribution theory, and the stress-distress paradigm are used to develop a theoretical model for the psychological and social processes affecting dental student well-being and performance. Data from preliminary investigations are used to argue for the model components. (MSE)

Two experiments examine use of defining, characteristic, category, and identical semantic features of word concept information in cued recall. College adults and 7- to 11-year-old children were shown word triplets in which context words were related or unrelated to final target word. Results suggest meaning features differ in providing medium for…

This interview discusses control theory (based on humans' psychological needs for love, power, freedom, and fun) and its potential for transforming students' classroom learning experience. By adopting the teamwork approach used in extracurricular activities, teachers can help students gain satisfaction and a sense of their own importance. (MLH)

While fiscal restraint has some negative impact, it provides an opportunity to bring greater order to schooling. The intellectual function of the school is "the perpetuation, transformation, and generation of knowledge grounded in the disciplines." Implicit in this vision of school is rejection of the function of school as socialization. (BRR)

An evaluation study of learning outcomes for secondary art education in The Netherlands is described. A student self-assessment questionnaire (learner report), based on De Groot's Self-Assessment Theories, was sent to 1150 students after final exams. Students wrote learning effect sentences, ranked 30 possible learning effects, and answered…