Demonstrates that connectionist models described in "Rethinking Innateness" (Elman, et al., 1996) depend on innately assumed representations and do not offer a genuine alternative to nativism. Presents simulation results showing that the models are incapable of deriving genuine abstract representations that are not presupposed. Maintains…

Explores the effectiveness of concept mapping, the learning cycle, expository instruction, and a combination of concept mapping/learning cycle in promoting conceptual understanding of diffusion and osmosis. Concludes that the concept mapping/learning cycle and concept mapping treatment groups significantly outperformed the expository treatment…

This study examined the effects of similarity in competence between model and observer on the effectiveness of observational learning in argumentative writing. Results are consistent with the similarity hypothesis: weak learners learn more from focusing their observations on weak models, whereas better learners learn more from focusing on good…

Three experiments investigated whether preschoolers attend to actions or object when learning a novel verb. Findings showed that children learning nouns in the context of novel, moving objects attended exclusively to appearances of objects. Children learning verbs attended equally to appearances and motions. With familiar objects, children…

Describes a study that examine three primary schools in the United Kingdom which have been successful in integrating ICT (information and communication technology) into the teaching and learning process. Confirms that a range of organizational features is correlated with successful implementation, and that staff commitment plays a pivotal role in…

Describes a research project which seeks to explore the experience of educators with technology-enhanced teaching and learning, particularly on how the use of information and communications technology is influencing teaching practices and students' approaches to learning at the University of Melbourne. (Author/LRW)

Discusses the importance of shared understanding in group learning and considers ways of assessing shared understanding. Describes a conceptual framework that makes a distinction between the process of reaching shared understanding and the resulting shared understanding, and presents an empirical study of a globally distributed engineering design…

Discusses assessment as an element in the teaching and learning process of adult learners. Topics include the instructor's role; the importance of assessment to the educational process; student-centered assessment philosophy and learner-centered teaching; alternative assessments to encourage authentic learning; grading rubrics; and journal…

Examines 20 of the most important issues for professionals in the field of educational technology including learning, policy, social, technology, and future issues. Describes how these issues have been effectively taught in a college course using problem-based learning approaches and speculates on what kind of issues may soon become important.…

Examines the design of multimedia learning environments as a case example of the intertwined and reciprocal relation between cognition and instruction. Explores the contributions of cognitive theory to multimedia design issues and the contributions of multimedia design issues to cognitive theory. (EV)

Controlling for precollege learning orientations and other influences, male athletes competing in nonrevenue sports at 18 four-year institutions tended to have lower levels of Openness to Diversity and Challenge and Learning for Self-Understanding that male nonathletes. Male football and basketball players did not differ from their nonathlete…

Analyzed two children's use of a computer-based motion detector to make sense of symbolic expressions (Cartesian graphs). Found three themes: (1) tool perspectives, efforts to understand graphical responses to body motion; (2) fusion, emergent ways of talking and behaving that merge symbols and referents; and (3) graphical spaces, when changing…

Survey responses from 48 perinatal nurses found that most learned about medical devices by reading manuals; 75% had received inservice training; and 95% learned from other staff. Inadequate knowledge was related to fear of causing patient harm. Initial learning method influenced what was learned, and hands-on experience was considered efficacious.…

Introduces the seven articles in this issue, noting that four focus on unusual methods for encouraging and assessing the learning of college student and three explore pedagogical methods for understanding and assisting students' learning. (DB)

Describes an investigation of first-year chemical engineering students' understanding of the mole concept. Finds that a series of activities designed to provide students with visual or experiential points of reference for the mole concept had a strong positive effect on student misconceptions. Contains 16 references. (Author/WRM)