The essays gathered in this volume are united by the common goal of understanding teaching and learning in Japan as it actually occurs. The essays seek to answer questions about the actual conduct of learning in different settings and at different points in the life cycle. This volume explores the expectations and associations found in specific…

Computers, because of their computational speed and multi-representational capabilities, are particularly well-suited to the implementation of dynamic models. This paper reviews research conducted on the use of computer-based models in precollege science classrooms. Topics addressed include Investigations of Running Simulations, Investigations of…

Self-efficacy is mediated by individuals' beliefs or expectations about their capacity to accomplish certain tasks successfully or demonstrate certain behaviors. When individuals have low self-efficacy expectations regarding their behavior, they limit the extent to which they participate in an endeavor and are more apt to give up at the first sign…

This videotape series offers emotional support and self-confidence to parents reaching out for knowledge about how young children, grow, develop, and learn. The video "Common Concerns of Parents of Young" (30 minutes) features parents expressing some universal concerns regarding their young children. Child psychologists and pediatricians offer…

This paper explains the importance of disposition as an essential aspect of critical thinking and suggests how instruction can be designed to promote learners' development of the dispositional side of critical thinking. Topics addressed include: (1) the dispositional bottleneck between opportunity and action, i.e., sensitivity to occasion; (2)…

This course introduces students enrolled in an adult high school diploma program to a set of learning strategies that they can use in any further education or training, in job and career training, and in personal learning. The course provides the basis for lifelong learning. The course contains nine lessons, each of which consists of stories,…

This study involving sixth graders found imaging was the most effective method of instruction, regardless of whether instructions to image came before or after subjects listened to a story. Field independent students outperformed their field dependent peers regardless of type of treatment. Twenty-three references are provided. (Author/MBR)

Describes a reading assessment technique (different from most reading level evaluations) involving identification of the concepts for study, categorizing the statements about the concept, and analysis both within and between texts. Analysis allows teacher to make judgments relating to convenient order of concepts, rate of development, and…

Using 170 ninth-grade rural students, the study examined (1) whether modality preferences are a factor in student learning styles; (2) whether male and female students and students at different achievement levels expressed differing learning style preferences; and (3) how learning style characteristics relate to student self-concept and general…

An account of the American Sociological Association's projects to institute a planned approach to the social change that influences learning outcomes is presented. The relationship between teacher effectiveness and contextual factors is the theme. Teaching is seen as directly affected by the availability of resources, support, and facilitation.…

The impact of a field trip on the attitudes, behavior, and learning of 196 third- and fifth-grade students was assessed. Third grade students seemed overwhelmed by the field trip and learned more from an outdoor science activity near their school. Fifth grade students were stimulated by the trip and bored by the outdoor lesson. (Authors/PP)

Argues that principles of learning drawn from mainstream psychology are unlikely to be as helpful in understanding the learning which takes place in school or universities as are those which are drawn more directly from research on students which develops explanations directly from the learner's own school experiences. (Author/CM)

Advocates an approach to second language learning based on Krashen's "Implicit Learning" model. Emphasizes comprehension training in preparation for productive skills learning, as a stress-free, highly motivating instructional strategy. Discusses results obtained with this approach in a variety of foreign languages at several schools across the…

The results are reported of a questionnaire on the opinions of biology, medical, and agricultural students on the contribution of high school biology to their college biology study. Most students valued this contribution. High school biology influenced achievement in college biology when based on prior learning. (MSE)

A set of immediate memory-span tests, concept- and rule-learning tasks, and an IQ test were administered to adolescents. A color-form memory factor and IQ substantially predicted rule-learning proficiency. Effects of memory aids appeared to induce conceptual rules and serve as a base for rehearsing information. (Author/RD)