The second of a series of three workshops on working with severely multiply handicapped students, the document reviews material presented in the first workshop and examines implementation of the informal diagnostic and programming skills. Presented as review are the following inservice modules: defining the problem and identifying what will meet…

States that United States history teachers must understand and accept the several rationales for the course if instruction is to improve. The first of a 10-part series presenting these rationales, this article discusses the historical method and inquiry mode and gives reasons why they are beneficial. (AEM)

Discusses a study that examined the role of four cognitive factors (formal reasoning ability, prior knowledge, field dependence/independence, and memory capacity) on achievement in chemistry as measured by tests of lab application, chemical calculations, and content knowledge. Reports the significance of prior knowledge and formal reasoning…

This discussion of teaching methods in higher education in Great Britain focuses on lectures as the dominant method and explores ways to change to more student-centered methods of instruction. A study is described that used interviews and questionnaires to determine teacher and student views on lecture versus discussion formats. (LRW)

Outlines a systematic approach to instructional design and discusses some of the cognitive and instructional issues involved in learning or teaching scientific concepts. Uses the concept of "acceleration" to illustrate the approach. Advocates the use of computers and related information technologies in concept teaching. (ML)

Discusses some of the difficulties involved with chemistry laboratory experiences and some laboratory manuals. Cites studies that indicate that part of the difficulty can be attributed to constraints relating to the short-term memory of the operational information and the assumption that students have a certain level of knowledge. (TW)

Viewing language learning as another skill acquisition process allows correction to be seen differently. An "error" occurs when knowledge is faulty, a "mistake" when only the performance is faulty. Mistakes can be corrected when (1) the student desires correction; (2) knows what is correct; (3) knows a mistake has occurred; and…

Reports on students' study and drawing of five electronic circuit diagrams. Concludes that the success of the students depended upon the amount of detail in the instructional diagrams. (RT)

Reports on a study using 126 university freshmen to examine the effects of instruction and practice in a discourse structure reading and writing strategy focusing on main ideas, supporting ideas, and central ideas. Indicates the discourse structure treatment is effective and worthy of further study. (NH)

Describes the study of learning strategies employed by successful (defined in terms of oral communicative abilities) Chinese learners of English. These strategies are compared to those of less successful learners and those of other population types from other studies. The test of oral communicative abilities is described. A strategies…

Compares pronunciation guides to Russian in 15 texts and supplements intended for the English-speaking student. Transcription systems and a few other problems facing beginning students are also discussed.

Investigates teachers' perceptions in two studies regarding extent to which various teaching methods are differentially appropriate for various types of students. Results of both studies indicate teachers do differentiate among appropriateness of various methods for different students, and their decisions tend to agree with existing research on…

This article advocates a systems approach to curriculum development. Steps in the system include the following: assess student needs, identify job specific applications, develop student objectives, develop criterion tests, prepare/select instructional materials, execute programs, and evaluate programs. (CT)

Harvard University's president critically examines educational uses of new technology, urging cautious optimism and support for technological innovation combined with strategic planning. Topics discussed include computer assisted instruction, higher level cognitive skill development, educational value of technological innovations and their effects…

Discusses students' formation of concepts about energy, classifying responses as living/nonliving, human (vitalism or activity), and nonhuman (supply or demand). Observations were based on class discussions and free writing, followed by questioning to check on stability of concepts. Also collected and reported are student responses (examples of…