Examines the performance of children in different grades as they attempt to solve simple equations involving addition and subtraction of integer numbers. The extended task involves creating a story that matches the equations. (DDR)

Articles in this special issue on the theme of cognitive skills acquisition in lifelong learning begins with an analysis of cognitive skills, then moves to various methodologies and approaches for their effective acquisition, and concludes with a specific implementation of computer systems facilitating this acquisition. (AEF)

This article considers whether Asperger syndrome (AS) should necessarily be viewed as a disability or as a difference. It concludes that "difference" is a more neutral and fair description. A model (the emphasizing-systemizing model) is summarized that attempts to define in what way individuals with AS are different. (Contains references.)…

Explores and elaborates on the relationship between goals, identities, and learning. Presses for their utility as a model by which to understand the nature of learning in general and to better understand the way in which race, culture, and learning become intertwined for minority students in American schools. (Author/MM)

Analyses compared serial memory, verbal learning, and abstract visual-spatial memory performance of 45 children (ages 9-12) with reading disabilities (RD) to chronological-age- (CA) and reading-level- (RL) matched controls. Phonological deficit and dual route comparisons indicate children with RD performed more poorly than CA-matched and better…

This address examines the future of biobehavioral science and the opportunities and pitfalls it holds for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Examples of recent advances in genetics and neurosciences are discussed, as well as opportunities that these advances hold for understanding the effects of the environment on…

This article reviews the contributions of Norman Geschwind on behavioral neurology. It discusses his novel associations between brain function/structure and behavior and findings from a recent study of 200 individuals with developmental disorders that indicate altered neuroanatomy in dyslexia may be accompanied by altered clinical neurophysiology.…

Presents an overview of some of the methodology used in a project that examined children's understanding of library information and how those perspectives change in the first five years of formal schooling. Following a description of data collection methods and analysis, a discussion focuses on the reasons for using these particular methods of…

Examined developmental and individual differences in tendencies to favor analytic over heuristic responses in three tasks (inductive reasoning, deduction under belief bias conditions, probabilistic reasoning) in children varying in age and cognitive ability. Found significant increases in analytic responding with development on first two tasks.…

Discussion of the importance of cognitive strategy instruction is followed by consideration of reciprocal teaching as an optimal method for teaching both reading and writing to middle and high school students with reading/writing difficulties. Reciprocal teaching emphasizes teaching learners how to ask questions, clarify issues, summarize text,…

The theory that the rationality characteristic of the intellectual tasks performed by scientists is linked to the ways they organize their professional lives is extended to science teaching. It is proposed that the forms of rationality typical of scientists' thinking may be irrelevant or even invalid in the college classroom. (MSE)

This study examined the classroom knowledge of experienced teachers and ways in which this knowledge was articulated to preservice teachers. Results indicate that differences in knowledge structures and reflective capabilities of cooperating teachers have potentially powerful consequences for the quality of student teachers' experiences. (SM)

This paper presents a cognitive style termed "dysfluency-fluency," illustrates the style with two case studies, and contrasts the dysfluent cognitive style with specific reading disability. Assessment procedures are outlined, and a rationale for considering dysfluency-fluency as a style distinguished from reflectivity-impulsivity is…

Presents a descriptive study of the influence of the learner's cultural schemata on instruction. Finds that students interpret new information in the light of cultural knowledge already possessed. Implications are that instructional designs that ignore the influence of background knowledge take a naive approach to the development of a…

The independent and interactive effects of scripted cooperation and knowledge maps (KMs) on the processing of technical materials was examined using 104 undergraduates. During acquisition, KMs had positive effects on recall of main and intermediate ideas, but the expected positive integration of KMs and scripted cooperation was not found. (SLD)