Describes a study of concept mapping as a means of learning problem-solving skills. Concludes that the concept mapping subjects were significantly more successful at solving biological test questions than were the controls. Reports no significant differences between cooperative and individual mapping and mixed results for gender. (DK)

Contends article by K. Smith, V. Reina, and C. Brainerd in same "Kappan" issue demeans author's own evidence based on many years of observing actual children; research preferred by reading skills proponents is derived from experimental situations under manipulative conditions. Context is everything, and teacher's role is central. Evaluating all…

Study compared the effectiveness of mental imagery (MI) and visual illustrations (VI) on learning a specific subject. College students received either text alone or text plus VI and/or MI. MI was important for learning and information processing and VI for achievement on multiple-choice and drawing recall tests. (SM)

Outlines a new personality typology that provides a coherent system for construing and conducting research on learning styles. Discusses analytic, holistic, objective, and subjective styles as the affect versatility. Presents implications for educational goals, such as determining which students can benefit from stylistic versatility and which…

Examined four- and five-year-old children's abilities to use a newly learned strategy in recall tasks. Subjects in strategy training groups showed increases in sorting, group naming, and category self-cuing activities in posttraining tasks. (BC)

The article offers six suggestions to help educators teach for true understanding: identify concepts and multiple meanings; create appropriate definitions; pay attention to prior knowledge; provide examples; focus on central elements of the concept; and establish solid evaluation procedures. (SM)

The strategies of four men with mild mental retardation when performing calendar calculations were investigated. Results suggested that subjects were aware of calendar rules and regularities, including knowledge of the 14 different calendar templates. Their strategies were rigidly applied and relied heavily on memory, with little manipulation of…

This paper describes research (involving six postsecondary students with learning disabilities) that reflects the effectiveness of Strategic Content Learning as an instructional model for supporting students to generate individualized strategic approaches to cognitive activities. The model's effectiveness is attributed to students' task analysis…

This study investigated taxonomic clustering and use of frequency associations as features in the semantic memory of children (n=30 in grades two and six) with learning disabilities (LD). Results suggested that, when individual child-generated word lists (i.e., meaningful) are used, children with LD may not be impaired in their ability to utilize…

Case studies are presented of musicians with dyslexia who experienced difficulties in the study of musical notation. The studies focus on their educational histories, musical weaknesses and strengths, and successful compensatory strategies. Suggestions are offered on using multisensory approaches to teach musical notation. (Author/JDD)

Addresses the problem of the effectiveness of teaching methodologies on fundamental engineering courses such as transport phenomena. Recommends the colloquial approach, an active learning strategy, to increase student involvement in the learning process. (ZWH)

Applies Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences (linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical, bodily kinesthetic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal) to designing time-telling exercises for young learners. The idea is to link instructional objectives to words, numbers or logic, pictures, music, the body, social interaction, or…

In 2 experiments, 168 undergraduates tested a newly devised mnemonic strategy to help recall various paintings' themes and contents. The effectiveness of cuing the artist's name with a prominent feature of the painting was demonstrated. A mnemonic variation that incorporated a verbally described mnemonic interaction into the painting was most…

Two experiments using a script for learning concrete procedures examined cooperative learning, effects of learning about equipment in advance, and retention of information over six weeks. Results from 114 undergraduates support positive effects of cooperative learning and a script incorporating simultaneous use of planning, performance, and…

Addresses three questions: Why teach study skills? How can teachers teach study skills? and When can teachers find time to teach study skills? (MG)