Outlines a Vygotskian perspective on moral development. Summarizes Lev Vygotsky's ideas about the "zone of proximal development" and extends them into the domain of moral education, focusing on an extract from the film, "Boyz 'n the Hood." Shows how the zone of proximal development facilitates moral development differently from…

Investigating 121 learners' experiences with videoconferencing, this study used path analysis to examine the postulates of Moore's Theory of Transactional Distance. A major focus was estimating the effects of the dimensions of dialog, structure, learner autonomy, and transactional distance--the constituent concepts of Moore's theory--on learning…

To test hypothesis that young children may be open to learning non-SVO structures with novel transitive verbs, 12 children in each of three age groups (2-year olds, 3-year olds, and 4-year olds) were taught novel verbs, one in each of three sentence positions: medial, final, and initial. Results suggest English-speaking children's acquisition of a…

Evaluations of antiviolence education suggest that trying to change attitudes can cause a backlash. This study provides a knowledge-based intervention measuring knowledge of information presented, attitudes about date rape, and self-reported physical and sexual aggression involving peers. Results show that students who attended the intervention…

Examines the place of caring, constructivist learning, and community in teachers' professional development. Professional-learning communities provide a conversational space for connecting teachers' personal, practical knowledge in the classroom with the larger professional-knowledge landscape. Profiles two professional-development initiatives that…

Describes a theoretical model of stages in the comprehension of a machine from diagrams and accompanying text, and considers the implications of this model for designing hypermedia manuals that explain how machines work. Reports on three experiments with undergraduates that evaluated hypermedia and multimedia manuals based on this model.…

Proposes two complementary strategies that contribute to opportunities for active learning: one, hyperlink teaching, is an alternative mode of in-class lecture delivery; the second, intelligent slides, resembles information bases that are enhanced with electronic links for use by students outside the classroom. The questionnaire used to gauge…

Contends that only students with performance or composing abilities are given a chance to explore music in their education. Stresses the importance of teaching all students how to listen to music in an active, "minds-on" way instead of only teaching hands-on activities. Challenges the traditional music curriculum by refuting five myths…

Suggests the Book Chat model, which emphasizes subject-related, process-oriented learning principles, be adjusted to accommodate two aspects of change in literary practice: the selection of texts for literature programs; and the influence of critical-literacy theory on the way teachers question children about what they read. (NH)

Suggests that although "learning to learn" has become part of the skills agenda, it actually involves far greater depth of personal development than skill development alone. Discussion of personal development and academic assessment leads to identification of related issues of power, knowledge, involvement, and design. (Author/DB)

Outlines a nine-step structure for debriefing an international business culture simulation. Stresses the need to address three stages in the experiential learning cycle: reflection, processing, and transfer. Appendices include the specific simulation used and a debriefing note. (DB)

Determines the relationship between the presence of traditional classroom assessment (tests and quizzes) and the science achievement of students in elementary methods course at East Carolina University. (Author/CCM)

Strategies-based instruction aims to help learners become more responsible for learning and using the target language. In an SBI classroom, teachers describe and model potentially useful strategies; elicit additional examples from students; lead group discussions about strategies; encourage student experimentation; and integrate approaches into…

Extends the literature on learning processes by identifying the motives and learning strategies of Master's- and Doctoral-level students. Finds that some graduate students seem more like undergraduate students in terms of their motives and learning strategies. Students' academic competency cannot be assumed simply as a result of their progression…

Describes a study that used the ordered-tree technique to investigate knowledge change across the first semester of a college course in organic chemistry. Finds that over the course of the semester, students' knowledge trees became more similar to those of their professors. Discusses possible assessment uses for the ordered-tree technique.…