Six articles discuss librarians as mediators in special circumstances. Highlights include the reference librarian and the information paraprofessional; effective reference mediation for nontraditional public library users, including mentally impaired patrons and illiterate adults; the academic librarian's role in the education process; and…

Divided into two parts, this article analyzes why some pupils feel reserve about instantaneous velocities and instantaneous flows. The second part relates reactions of pupils facing a problem that implicates the instantaneous rate of change. Describes some characteristics of this problem that enables the authors to explain its instructional…

The efficacy of small groups in performing school task work was studied for eight groups of Swedish ninth graders (n=35) videotaped in class. Three judges ranked the groups' cooperation. Videotape transcripts were analyzed for directional factors. Three groups functioned well. Directional factors resulting in good group functioning are discussed.…

Research review examines whether student thought processes mediate achievement in physical education. The paper offers the mediating process paradigm to explain unexpected, inconsistent research findings on teaching and describes problems associated with measuring cognitive processes, suggesting they play an active role in student motor skill…

This study explored how one eighth grade girl learned about the structure of recursive programs in BOXER programing language. The method of impasse resolution was presented in detail and used both to understand how she constructed her understanding and as an empirical method to analyze her learning. (MDH)

Describes a study that examined problem-solving strategies selected by African-American preschool students with differing cognitive styles using LOGO computer software. Highlights include spatial development, minority performance and cross-cultural differences in cognitive style, and differences in field-dependent/field-independent children in…

Describes part of a research project in France involving the second-language acquisition of young children that focuses on the use of a computer augmented with a voice synthesizer. Topics addressed include written versus spoken language; multiple sources of information; self-correction; self-esteem; memory; and speed in the learning process.…

Discussion of school effectiveness, achievement outcomes, and sociocultural influences focuses on a study of Nigerian high school students that was conducted to determine whether or not instruction based on a sociocultural model could significantly alter students' attitudes toward learning and achievement in science. (51 references) (LRW)

Contends than an important dimension of multicultural religious education is the development of cognitive, affective, and behavioral characteristics consistent with cultural pluralism. Presents alternative views to traditional Western epistemology, focusing on postmodern feminist theories of learning. (CFR)

This continuation of an earlier article that described computer-based speech recognition products focuses on future hardware and software predictions. Highlights include effects that speech input/output could have on teaching language arts in elementary and secondary schools; changes in thought processing factors; use by the physically…

Discussion of learning styles and learner control focuses on a study of college students that paired field-dependent and field-independent learning styles with different instructional control treatments. The use of interactive video lessons and a printed self-study guide is described, and treatments for the experimental and control groups are…

Results from an experiment with 28 experimental and 28 matched control college students taking a 13-week computer science course support the potential of modeling and coaching students in metacognitive strategies to enhance learning. The instructional method had significant long-term and short-term effects on cognitive and affective learning…

These comments on EC 604 103, concerning child temperament effects on the special education process and outcomes, focus on how the author became interested in the topic, reasons for the paucity of research in this area, the relationship between child temperament and parental temperament, and ways in which teachers can apply the research. (JDD)

Describes an activity that demonstrates a teaching-learning model in which students ask yes or no questions to determine an unknown number on a number line. Provides a sequence of five steps to carry out the activity and suggestions for extending and expanding the activity for different grade levels. (MDH)

Describes educational innovations that have taken place at Fearnhill School (Letchworth Garden City, England) as part of the Education 2000 project. Highlights include moving from teaching to learning; cooperation between teachers, community groups, and private sponsors; use of the library; computer technology, including conferencing; and the role…