The implicit assumption behind personal writing assignments given at the beginning of a writing course is that personal essays eliminate the writing apprehension of having nothing to say. However, college freshmen find it very difficult to write about themselves and their own opinions because this writing involves abstract mental processes and…

This document explains the British Industrial Training Research Unit's CRAMP (Comprehension, Reflex action, Appropriate attitude, Memorizing, Procedural learning) system for designing training. The first section introduces the CRAMP approach and includes an exercise (and answers) to measure whether the reader understands CRAMP's definitions of…

The techniques used in teaching spoken and written English must be re-evaluated, and more effort should be directed toward helping individuals develop adequate ways of acquiring language skills. Classroom models that confront students with texts they cannot read effectively, and that compel them to repeat words and sentences in a chorus should be…

A successful expository writing program (1) should develop basic writing ability and fluency, (2) should convey to students that they are informants in a communicative context that includes writers and readers, and (3) should foster student control of the writing process including thinking and organizational strategies (such as planning,…

Abstracts and abstractors' critiques of ten published articles related to curriculum, misconception research, and instruction are presented. Aspects addressed in the studies include: (1) Canadian teachers' opinions on changes in elementary and junior high school science programs; (2) current status of ecology education in Illinois; (3)…

In an effort to present important research results in readable form for elementary and secondary teachers of mathematics, this publication reviews a model and ways of effectively teaching mathematics. The model of instruction proposed by Good and Grouws is based on teacher-centered whole class instruction. Perspectives and guidance are offered in…

College-bound students who score poorly on the American College Test (ACT) exam (16 or below) are usually required to take an examination that measures the ability to read and interpret college level material since this ability is a significant variable in the prediction of academic success. Many of these underprepared students need specific help…

The study compared perceptions of high school and college faculty regarding the characteristics and preparatory needs of secondary learning disabled (LD) students. The analysis was based on a survey of 288 high school teachers (246 regular and 42 special education) and 82 college teachers. Separate factor analyses identified three academic factors…

Designed for the use of high school personnel, especially mathematics and science teachers, this manual provides ideas and mechanisms that will help reduce inappropriate career decisions based on emotions, sex role stereotyping, and misinformation. Contents include sections which focus on: (1) where the jobs are in science and engineering; (2)…

A handbook for Peace Corps volunteers gives ideas and suggestions for improving second language learning. Chapter one answers some of the most common questions about learning foreign languages, including the best age and means for language learning, avoiding mistakes, dealing with the inability to understand a message, the time needed to master…

This examiner's manual accompanies the Learning Style Profile (LSP), which measures cognitive skills as well as affective and environmental preferences. Charles Letteri's General Operations Model was accepted as the prototype for relating learning styles to cognitive information processing. The LSP was developed from 1983 to 1986; several versions…

Ways in which semantic mapping can be used for general vocabulary development, as a prewriting and prereading activity, as a postreading activity, and as a study skill strategy are presented in this teaching guide. The first two sections provide an introduction to semantic mapping, and outline the three most common uses of semantic mapping as an…

Drawing upon Piagetian and Vygotskian developmental theories, philosophical examinations of the nature of argument and explanation, analyses of classroom and Socratic dialogues, and cooperative classroom structures, this paper examines how cooperative learning can influence individual knowledge acquisition. The paper first reviews some of the…

Resource-based learning is described in this document as a pupil-centered approach to teaching science in which a wide variety of resources are used. Students are given some freedom of pace and choice of activity while teachers provide resources to the student when they are needed. The learning is then based on the resources and the pupil can make…

The curriculum for a three-year Ukrainian second language program in Alberta public schools is designed to provide for articulation and continuity. The program outline provides: (1) a set of objectives reflecting basic educational objectives and a rationale to support inclusion of Ukrainian in a school program; (2) specific minimum expectations…