Offers comments on earlier articles that discussed constructivism and instructional development. Social negotiation of meaning and objectivity is addressed, a multiple-perspective continuum for reconceptualizing objectivism and constructivism is explained, and the implications of constructivism for assessment are discussed. (38 references) (LRW)

Discusses the use of annotated examples by performance technologists as an instructional aid or as a performance aid to focus a learner's attention on the most important characteristics of a written product. Four annotated examples are presented and explained, and steps to create annotated example are described. (three references) (LRW)

Describes two learning activities that help students understand the difference between main ideas and the topic of a paragraph or passage. (MG)

Reviews educationally relevant mnemonic strategy research, awarding "grades" to various mnemonic strategies and curricular applications. Mnemonic materials designed for factual content and mnemonic applications for educationally handicapped students are awarded A's, whereas teachers, mnemonic strategy critics, and mnemonic strategy…

Reports the use of different types of schemes to teach and learn science subjects. Identifies three different schemas: (1) curricula schemas; (2) schemas of educational content; and (3) algorithmic schemas. (Author/CCM)

Explores how people's understanding of a material is created and developed as they interact with it to find effective ways of promoting better image development when no prior information about a device is available. Reports that models from good learners who finished the task quickly were coherent and centered around the notion of…

Discusses two common student errors regarding fractions. Presents different solution strategies for finding a fraction. (ASK)

The role of distinctiveness in the differential memory performance of visual and verbal elaboration strategies was studied with 28 undergraduates who learned information about familiar and unfamiliar animals using visual or verbal elaboration strategies. Imagery-using students organized unfamiliar animal information into intact sets more than…

In addition to basic motor and perceptual skills, Internet users need mental models of how the system works and how it functions as a social environment. Even experienced Internet users need continuous learning, which is often obtained informally within the context of work groups. (SK)

Metacognitive strategies support individual development and make learning transparent to the learner. Techniques such as modeling, coaching, scaffolding, fading, reflecting, and exploring are essential to maintain and approve the ability to learn throughout life. (SK)

The Self-Knowledge Inventory of Lifelong Learning Strategies was completed by 25 adults reading below sixth-grade level. Results showed they make conscious, informed choices of a variety of learning strategies, have a high degree of responsibility and control, and can assess strategy choices based on learning requirements. (SK)

Presents a review of three major strategies for learning and information retrieval useful for learners in coping with typical problems in unstructured hypermedia. Strategies for goal attainment, spatial orientation, and knowledge acquisition are discussed, and future research on learning strategies for hypermedia is suggested. (Author/LRW)

Reviews literature on the natural learning approach as it pertains to spelling instruction, which focuses on incidental and informal methods of learning to spell. Emphasizes there is only partial support for the inherent assumptions of the approach and reports young children who receive little or no spelling instruction do as well as their…

Concept maps are diagrams that show students how content is structured. This article asserts that they can be effective teaching and learning tools. It presents one method of concept mapping and several ways it can be used in the classroom. (EV)

Had adult students in South Africa complete the Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument to determine their thinking preferences based on Hermann's four quadrant whole brain model. Found a diversity of thinking style preferences and non-preferences for the four quadrants. (EV)