Outlines a general model about the dynamic organization and development of the mind and draws the implications of this model for learning and instruction by presenting 10 postulates about the organization of the mind and 1 general postulate about the dynamic relations between systems of the mind and the mind and education. (SLD)

Discussion of computers as mindtools focuses on semantic networks and expert systems that help learners build a representation of what they know by designing their own knowledge bases. Describes a study of undergraduates that examined the effects of building semantic networks on the construction of expert systems. (Author/LRW)

Discusses the conceptual framework for developing a rapid-prototype high-performance knowledge base for the four mission agencies of the United States Department of Agriculture and their university partners. Describes the background of the project and methods used for establishing the requirements; examines issues and problems surrounding semantic…

Compares the indexing structure of icons with principles used for traditional indexing. A sample of 15 library homepages was drawn from the total population of the United States library homepages. Semiotics theory was used to study the icons. Analysis and results are outlined. (AEF)

Suggests a postmodern theory regarding knowledge organizations as active constructions of a perceived conception of particular discourse communities in the company, organization or knowledge fields for which the knowledge organization is intended. In this view, the interpretive process in knowledge organization and the culture and social context…

In 3 experiments, the authors examined the role of knowledge activation in the suppression of contextually irrelevant meanings for ambiguous homographs. In Experiments 1 and 2, participants with greater baseball knowledge, regardless of reading skill, more quickly suppressed the irrelevant meaning of ambiguous words in baseball-related, but not…

In resource-based learning scenarios, students are often overwhelmed by the complexity of task-relevant knowledge and information. Techniques for the external interactive representation of individual knowledge in graphical format may help them to cope with complex problem situations. Advanced computer-based concept-mapping tools have the potential…

Our claim is that semantic metadata are required to allow a real reusing and assembling of learning objects. Our system is based on three models used to describe the domain, learners, and learning objects. The learning object model is inspired from knowledge representation proposals. A learning object can be reused directly or can be combined with…

This paper presents the design, features and pilot evaluation study of a web-based environment--the SORTING environment--for the learning of sorting algorithms by secondary level education students. The design of this environment is based on modeling methodology, taking into account modern constructivist and social theories of learning while at…

This study assessed the effectiveness of computer-based biomolecular visualization activities on the development of high school biology students' representational competence as a means of understanding and visualizing protein structure/function relationships. Also assessed were students' attitudes toward these activities. Sixty-nine students…

People find difficulty in performing syllogistic reasoning. This paper outlines some reasons for poor syllogistic reasoning. Representational systems (RS) used in presenting and evaluating syllogisms can be distinguished in terms of attributes such as specificity, expressiveness, and abstraction. Graphical RSs have pedagogical potential because of…

This paper describes dissertation research using cognitive psychology in the design of museum exhibit labels in an effort to increase learning and memory in museum visitors. Three studies focused on factors affecting whether or not using a question (instead of a statement) as a title on a museum exhibit label would increase the visitor's memory of…

Describes the development of a coding scheme that represents students' ideas and its application to the analysis of interviews with urban students (n=8). Results indicate that decomposition is a linchpin concept for building an understanding of nutrient cycling, and ideas which relate to children's natural framework theories provide a generative…

Suggests that knowledge organization must encompass theories that focus on the more fundamental and less technical view and raises the questions of epistemology and general linguistic theory. Focuses on the meaning aspect of language and the terminological aspect of knowledge organization. Considers theories of terminology, language and meaning,…

Discusses some features of instructional approaches that promote meaningful learning. Focuses on creating an environment in which students can be mentally attentive. (DDR)