Studied age-related differences in the effectiveness of structural and semantic memory cues in 54 adults. Results showed semantic cues improved recall most effectively at all three adult age levels; structural cues produced intermediate levels of recall facilitation. Increases in age and presentation rate did not reduce semantic cue effectiveness.…

Investigated the clothing preferences and problems of older women, using personal interviews. Presents results of preferred styles in detail. Discusses implications of the research for gerontologists in higher education and for the American clothing industry. (RC)

Eight sets of paired auditory and visual stimuli were constructed. Each member of the auditory pair was matched by one member of the visual pair (e.g., ascending "tone/up arrow"; descending "tone/down arrow"). Sixty-one infants with a mean age of 11.4 months were presented matching and unmatching stimuli; total fixation time…

Aesthetic preferences for overlapping geometrical figures were studied in subjects ages 6 through 14 in the context of the theory of functional pleasure. Results confirmed the hypothesis that the complexity level (number of crossings) of the preferred stimulus varies with the subjects' perceptual capacities, which develop with age. (Author/SJL)

Describes a study that indicated that readers of college newspapers prefer a front page style that is contemporary and emphasizes a horizontal layout to either an avant-garde style that features an entirely horizontal layout or a traditional layout having a vertical page. (TJ)

The results supported the hypothesis that mentally handicapped children have a significant attraction to symmetrical arrangement, and that Down's syndrome children are more significantly attracted than other retarded children. (Author/DLS)

The preference for color or form as bases for similarity judgments among preschoolers (ages 2-5) and its relationship to the differentiation of form and color concepts as indexed by discrimination, identification, and labeling were investigated. (SB)

Discusses the importance of designing for comfortable, effective interfaces between students and computers in classrooms. Explores the use of research and classroom mock-ups to ensure appropriate design. (EV)

States that document designers presenting procedural instructions can choose several formats: prose, table, logical tree, or flow chart. Suggests that instructions should allow users to reach the outcome without losing time. Discusses two formal methods that help determine which order is most efficient--that based on the selection principle, or…

Forty adults with adventitious blindness were administered 12 different Braille discrimination tests representing combinations of standard or enlarged Braille and various amounts of horizontal and vertical spacing. Findings indicated that the most favorable discrimination conditions occurred with standard-sized Braille, with three spaces between…

Introduces and discusses briefly 10 multimedia products that are fun, useful, and that can teach a lot about communicating technical and business information. Discusses seven things that designers can learn from such examples. (SR)

Presents comparative data on college and university residence hall construction projects, including construction costs, size, numbers of students, and cost per square foot. Also provides comparative housing cost data over the past decade and identifies types of amenities being added to dormitories. (GR)

Describes how college and professional athletes' need for year-round conditioning and teams' need for a leg up in recruiting are driving construction of sumptuous new football facilities. Details what goes into the design of a great football training facility. (EV)

Discusses three key factors that contribute to the creation of school cafeterias as social learning spaces: access, ambience, and function. (EV)

Examines the development and design of the facade at a rural Oregon high school that represents the school's athletic name of "Pirates" by showing a pirate's ship on the roof. This structure protrudes from a corner of the rectangular building, with a bearded buccaneer opening a treasure chest filled with educational materials. (GR)