This researcher investigated the relationship of hierarchical classification processes in subjects categorized as to developmental level as defined by Piaget's theory, and explored the validity of the hierarchical model and test used in the study. A hierarchical classification test and a battery of four Piaget-type tasks were administered…

This description of AUTHOR, a computer program for the automated authoring of programmed texts designed to teach symbol recognition, includes discussions of the learning strategies incorporated in the design of the instructional materials, hardware description and the algorithm for the software, and current and future developments. Appendices…

Navy and Coast Guard enlisted men were the subjects of a study to determine the effectiveness of various instructional materials and methods in symbol learning. A repeated measures design was used to determine the differential effects of aptitude, type of instructional material, and amount of study time on acquisition of the International Morse…

The first in a series of monographs that describe various aspects of the development of musical intelligence, this paper describes two distinct and contrasting strategies which individuals use for making sense of simple rhythmic figures. The strategies are identified as (1) figural, related to gestures, and (2) metric, referring to measuring…

Visual and auditory stimuli were presented to children to measure symbol processing abilities. Slides which required matching the similarities in two objects in a group of three were presented. At times the matching criteria varied between function, color, and form. Reaction time was quicker when matching by color than by function, which was…

A course which is an introduction to musical symbol is presented in workbook form. The course is designed to help pupils develop the skills necessary to identify and reproduce a staff, notes, and to place notes on a line and in a space. The objective of the course is to enable pupils to identify and reproduce: an eighth note, half note, staff,…

The problems of using formalistic methods in the instruction of mathematics to elementary level children are discussed. Precision in mathematical language is not seen as a useful instructional tool, and functional modes of communication are stressed. (MP)

An observational study investigated which teaching opportunities within a role play activity could be considered valuable for the improvement of mathematical thinking. Observations indicated many such opportunities, suggesting that if teachers manage to make use of such teaching opportunities, children can explicitly reflect on the relationship…

Twenty-eight hearing college students were trained on 30 signs from American Sign Language that had been classified as iconic, opaque, or abstract. Students learned and retained iconic signs better than opaque or abstract. A videotaped presentation mode produced greater consistency in scores than computer-assisted instruction. (Author/JDD)

Reviews the literature which presents theory and research that places early communicative development in the context of familiar experiences that occur over time. (BB)

Explores two hypotheses about the effect of symbolic systems on psychological functions: (1) culturally elaborated systems of signs affect psychological functioning in a general way; and (2) systems of signs, when used to support skilled action, affect the organization of human activity. Reviews research that supports the second hypothesis. (LB)

Describes collaborative study done by a prekindergarten teacher, staff developer, and college teacher educator utilizing a highly integrated curriculum whose core was multiple symbol systems. Notes focus on literacy as well as beginnings of writing and reading. Concludes that within the context of high-stakes schooling, the teacher managed to…

Computer-based learning environments commonly comprise symbolic as well as static and dynamic pictorial representations, frequently combined with the possibility of modifying them interactively. While multiple, dynamic and interactive external representations have the potential to improve learning in various ways, they also place specific demands…

This paper focuses on issues of representation and interaction styles that are relevant considerations in the design and analysis of hypermedia learning environments. Analysis is supported by examples from the "HUGH" series of studies involving learners in reasoning about formal hypermedia representations. The representational issues include…

Scientific discoveries concerning the bimodal functioning of the human brain have influenced the creation of a visual literacy methodology program at Iowa State University for future art teachers. Student teachers plan and prepare visual lesson plans designed to reverse the traditional pedagogical reliance on faculties dominated by left hemisphere…