The article critiques a 1987 (Kavale and Forness) meta-analysis which concluded that research does not support modality-based instruction. The study is faulted for its selection criteria as well as its failure to consider demographic differences, achievement level differences, multiplicity of preferences, definitions of terms, effect-size…

This response to Dunn (EC 221 793) reaffirms the conclusions of a meta analysis on modality-based instruction, through elaboration of the study's selection criteria and methodological factors. Although modality-based instruction is seen to be intuitively appealing, educators are encouraged, instead, to apply instructional methods of proven…

New research raises questions about the assumptions and effectiveness of traditional instruction in light of women's experiences. An alternative approach--feminist pedagogy--encompasses teacher-learner collaboration, cooperative communication styles, a holistic approach to learning, theory building, and action projects. (SK)

Encouraging learning-disabled adolescents to find their own successful style of learning requires: (1) breaking down preconceptions about education; (2) breaking down preconceptions about self; and (3) reinforcing such principles as individual responsibility for choices. (DB)

Explored relationships between community college students' (N=147) learning styles and academic-vocational attributes. Found learning styles were related to academic major, accommodating interests, science interests, and numerical aptitude. Recommends career counselors use learning style information in selecting a counseling approach for students.…

Assessed cognitive styles of 300 children aged 3-5 years and explored social factors in children's play based on their cognitive style. Field dependent children engaged more often in activities with others and with concrete objects, while field independent children were more involved in restructuring the environment. (RJC)

Collaborative learning is a pedagogical style that emphasizes cooperative efforts between and among students and faculty. It stresses the importance of common inquiry in learning and is rooted in the belief that knowledge is inherently social in nature. (Author)

Examined vocational decision-making style, contextual anxiety, and exploratory activity in 148 undergraduate students. Results suggest that individuals who rely upon thinking-oriented approaches to decisions and who experience stress with regard to the specific tasks of exploration are likely to engage in exploration of environment and, to lesser…

Results from 821 Israeli subjects revealed that the Hebrew version of Kolb's Learning Style Inventory was as reliable as the original English version. Demonstrates initial cross-cultural reliability and validity of the instrument, allowing for its utilization in further research of individual learning styles. (Author/BJV)

Research with gifted children has identified certain clusters of traits which are directly related to a visual/spatial orientation in learning. This article presents common traits of visual/spatial learners, including introversion and behavior problems, and offers adaptive techniques that have been found effective in teaching "nonsequential"…

Argues that cognitive style diagnosis gives a strong and rational basis to a personalized approach to education. Discusses the relationship between information processing and learning style. Describes the National Association of Secondary School Principals'"Learning Style Profile," which assesses students' perceptual responses, cognitive…

Discusses trends in the conceptualization of children's cognitive style which continue to generate research activity. Trends discussed include field dependence-independence, reflection-impulsivity, conceptualization styles, breadth of categorization, metaphoric sensitivity, cognitive complexity-simplicity, and cognitive control. (RJC)

Results are reported from a study concerned with measurement and analysis of brain hemisphere specialization preferences reported by 126 student teachers. The math/science student teachers expressed hemispheric preferences that differed significantly from the three other student groups (elementary liberal arts, secondary fine arts, and secondary…

Reviews and summarizes "Things That Make Us Smart," a book by Donald Norman that defends human attributes in the age of electronic systems. Topics include human performance; kinds of cognition; kinds of learning; design principles for electronic performance support systems; and examples. (LRW)

Describes a study at the University of Leiden (Netherlands) that investigated whether students with different learning styles used different study strategies in a hypertext reading environment, the role of strategy regulation in strategy use, the consistency of strategy use over two different reading tasks, and use of the Inventory of Learning…