Moderately mentally retarded children can acquire the necessary basic mental operations through a proper progression of mediated learning experiences; once the basic mental operations have been acquired, complex learning can occur because the necessary cognitive tools are present. (JD)

Article proposes that there are certain periods or ascendancies during which environmental and personal variables interact, resulting in increased motivation and openness for learning on the part of the individual. (RW)

Examines paradigm shifts in the conceptualization of representational play, and implications for children's learning. Argues that children's play is culturally defined, valued, and interpreted and therefore, theories of play should be culturally specific. Advocates ethnographic research to avoid deficit models for non-Western children, and more…

Recent research has documented the variety of memory strategies children have in their repertoires at different ages and with different degrees of task experience. Of growing importance is understanding the processes by which children choose among available approaches. Evidence suggests that sociocultural influences shape individual repertoires of…

A cognitive-science revolution, reminiscent of Dewey's Progressive Education Movement, will profoundly affect future educational policy and practice. A comprehensive brain theory will emerge out of Darwin's discoveries about natural selection as a scientific explanation for biodiversity, Einstein's theoretical reconceptualization of…

Investigates reasons for the success of cooperative learning (CL) from a psychological perspective, focusing on group dynamics and the motivational system generated by peer cooperation. Argues that the affective domain of CL plays a crucial role in the learning process. The paper summarizes the factors contributing to the promotion of learning…

Addresses issues arising from the application of a learning model to the Greek public administration system. Suggests a process of organizational self-learning that is capable of transforming a state bureaucracy into a self-referential organization. The process of self-learning is based on a repeating cycle of knowing, reflecting, understanding,…

This is an exploratory study of the MBA experience from a female point of view. Interviews with 16 women MBAs yield findings consistent with research that suggests that women prefer to learn and be taught in ways other than traditional MBA approaches. Also addresses the reasons why women teachers are often less valued than their male counterparts.…

Argues that individual differences should be given a central role in modeling training programs. Examines the effect of training on individual differences, how the study of individual differences can contribute to the understanding of the learning process, and the effect of social environment on learning and performance from the perspective of…

Investigated whether Frederiksen and others (1985) multiletter recognition program improved speed, accuracy, and recognition of multiletter units. Found increased perceptual coding skills for 9- and 10-year olds in the training group compared to those in the control group. Results suggest that future research should focus on generalization of…

Describes in economic and mathematical terms the learning production process at the individual level. Presents a model to determine which factors influence this process. Tests the model, using data from two widely divergent learning situations, ranging from lecture-oriented college economics courses to programmed instruction to learn eighth-grade…

A study explored the impact of a testing change designed to encourage deeper approaches to learning. In an engineering materials science course, an open-book final examination was used, with time and opportunities for colleague interaction. Student attitudes and outcomes were compared to those of students tested with a traditional closed-book…

Children ages 3 to 5 years old are observed in a series of 3 experiments assessing their use of counterfactual thinking in causal reasoning. Results suggest that young children readily interpret the cause of an outcome in terms of a contrast between the observed sequence of events, and a counterfactual alternative in which the outcome did not…

Describes an empirical field study on synchronous cooperative distance learning carried out in a large software company. Topics include Web-based training that included a chat tool; analysis of group discourse that showed variations in learning processes; participant attitudes; amount of participation; and the need for effective instructional…

Reports on a one-year action research study at the University of Cambridge (United Kingdom) which explored processes by which a cohort of postgraduate teacher trainees learned personal information and communication technology (ICT) skills. Discusses learning strategies reported by students in interviews; considers previous experience and software…