In opposition to the dominant economic agenda in adult education, a new cultural psychology of learning and development emphasizes learning as a social goal and fosters understanding of how people survive, rebuild, and learn through difficult times. Reflective conversations with an unemployed man illustrate the emotional and social processes of…

Nine defining attributes of skill and skilled performance are as follows: skill is learned; content and contextual knowledge is important; skilled performance is goal directed and requires motivation; schemata are prerequisites; relevant problem solving is involved; skill involves relative judgments with individual performance differences;…

The developmental change process is illustrated by Lewis Carroll's Alice. Development is not a direct reflection of the self but a process of looking awry at experience. This perspective has implications for various teaching methods. (Contains 27 references.) (SK)

Discussion of the advantages of online learning environments (OLEs) for distance education focuses on the importance of collaboration and discussion to make the students feel more central to the learning process. Presents methods to stimulate collaboration and discussion in OLEs. (Author/LRW)

Presents research in physics education whose main aim is to design hypermedia software dedicated to science teaching on the basis of learning hypotheses related to the knowledge to be learned. Includes a theoretical framework; design principles; and an example of the application of the framework. (Author/LRW)

Reports on the use of a rapid feedback technique designed to provide students an opportunity to monitor their understanding of the material in introductory chemistry. (DDR)

Presents a model that describes how students reconstruct geological transformations over time. Defines the critical factors influencing reconstructive thinking: (1) the transformation scheme, which influences the other diachronic schemes; (2) knowledge of geological processes; and (3) extracognitive factors. (Author/KHR)

Focuses on two secondary students' beliefs and the relationships that emerge from the actions that take place in a classroom. Uses an interpretive approach with the two participating countries, Spain and Costa Rica. Reports that students construct their own theories regarding their role at school and learning and teaching mathematics. (Contains 22…

A learning program was designed to prepare students (n=82) for teamwork. Self- and peer evaluations of emotional intelligence indicated that exposure to both content knowledge and practical experience with team process increased the emotional intelligence of the experimental group compared to 80 controls in a lecture-based class. (Contains 38…

Experiential learning can be understood as a process in which learners recognize and develop their "action-theory." The aim of outdoor development programs--whether mainstream education, corporate training, or therapy--is to facilitate this process. A "reflection-in-action" approach to facilitation is presented and situated in…

Advocates an inquiry into the possibility of educational processes based on empirical knowledge. Discusses answers to the guiding question of how education is possible, advocating an orientation by psychology, by autopoietic, or evolutionary theories. Argues that these answers fail to achieve an independent and adaptable disciplinary perspective.…

Discusses the dichotomy between rational and nonrational learning processes, arguing for an integration of both. Reviews information processing theory and related learning strategies. Presents a model instructional strategy that fully integrates rational and nonrational processes. Describes implications for teaching and learning of the learning…

Examines the notion of "deep" and "surface" approaches to learning and phenomenography, the associated methodology and theory of knowledge; explores reasons for the heightened status of the deep/surface notion within higher education research; discusses problems of phenomenographic research methodology. Introduces the idea of…

Discusses how students learn to model in scientific contexts. Highlights include current research in science education; a computer-based simulation of a student learning to model; an example of a physics task; collaboration with another student; a dialog mechanism; and external representations. (LRW)

Describes how idea mapping proved to be a helpful strategy for hearing-impaired and deaf students considered to have reading disabilities. Shows how it proved to be a valuable tool for students to understand text more effectively and become more independent in their learning processes. (SR)