Describes and categorizes the ways in which first graders (two good and two poor spellers) used and talked about their spelling knowledge during a formal spelling test and an informal writing activity. Results suggested three categories of spelling knowledge: developmental stage spelling knowledge, suggested by written spellings; verbalized…

In three experiments, three normal preschoolers were presented with sorting tasks ordinarily insoluble for four-year-olds. Found that, although the subjects had difficulty correctly sorting the pictures when told what criterion to sort by, they could provide correct answers when asked what they were looking for. This self-instructional effect was…

Suggests a revised Montessori elementary biology sequence based on the new five-kingdom model. In keeping with Montessori principles that move the learner from the whole to the parts and from the simple to the complex, offers a proposed outline of instruction for the lower elementary (6-9) level and for the upper elementary (9-12) level. (TJQ)

Notes that sorting is an early classification activity; as language develops, objects can be sorted by various attributes and described. Describes key experiences in this developmental sequence, and provides guidelines and specific suggestions for selecting for classroom use "attribute materials" designed to lead students to both…

Responds to previous article (Gresham and Gansle, 1992) which argued that Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition-Revised (DSM-III-R) was irrelevant for practice of school psychology and that absence of treatment validity was most serious issue among problems with DSM-III-R. Elaborates on several issues surrounding…

Reports on two empirical studies that examined the nature and causes of information management indeterminism in an online research environment. A knowledge-based design for alleviating indeterminism which contains a system-generated thesaurus and an inferencing engine is proposed. (Contains 63 references.) (JLB)

This study found that categorization strategy training resulted in increased performance on unidimensional, bidimensional, and tridimensional sorting tasks by 4 males (ages 12-16) with autism. Three subjects also showed improvements on generalization probes and maintenance of performance. (Author/JDD)

Examines the structure and components of information storage and retrieval systems and information filtering systems. Identifies 13 components as representations of data objects (copies, excerpts, descriptions, abstractions, and identifying references) and functions that operate on them. Reduces the functional components to transformation and…

Two studies involving 195 undergraduates investigated memory errors occurring when the context standard used in judging target behaviors differs from the category norm standard available when behaviors are recalled. Results support a "natural" tendency to use the current categorical meaning of a judgment to reconstruct the referent of…

Cluster analysis grouped 621 jobs into 6 "contours" showing that from 1973-1990 employment distribution shifted away from 2 middle-quality to the 2 highest-quality contours; no change was apparent in the 2 lowest quality. Black and Hispanic men were affected by a worsening job mix and drop in the quality of low-skill jobs. Women experienced a…

Examines a model for children's strategies for inclusion tasks. Suggests that young children are not consistent in task strategies and that they display mixed response strategies. Strategies may change with development. (ET)

The use of taxonomies of types and levels of learning for student assessment in higher education is discussed. Five taxonomies designed for a variety of instructional areas are described. The reasons for their use are examined from four points of view: pedagogical, professional, quality assurance, and management. (MSE)

Examines the origins and parallel uses of the concept of "facet" in bibliographic classification theory and behavioral research. Suggests that social sciences in general were receptive to conceptual borrowing, but that library and information science as a discipline was relatively isolated. (contains 108 references) (Author/AEF)

A national study of 260 older adult education programs identified 5 models: (1) university-based; (2) Older Adult Service and Information Systems; (3) coalitions of religious congregations (Shepherd's Centers); (4) community colleges; and (5) senior centers. New roles for older learners are emerging in planning, teaching, governance, and community…

This article offers guidelines for applying creative thinking to modern life stresses, focusing on the organization of experience into meaningful patterns. Suggestions are drawn from typical adult life stages, changes in role perception, mental effects of physical exercise, the use of suggestive fiction, mental classification of experience, and…