Describes an analysis of test items used to measure the science process skills of 11-year-olds in Great Britain. Concludes that the level of cognitive demand was a reliable predictor of the difficulty of an item. (TW)

Synthesizes research on reasoning development and studies of teaching in order to present an approach to teaching guided thinking. (SRT)

Predicts the status of library services to young adults in 1997 by considering various forces, including the changing nature of adolescents and early adolescents, future demographic trends, prospective job markets, and library education problems and possibilities. (EM)

Based on 128 studies comparing the effects of technology instruction and conventional instruction in Japanese elementary and secondary schools, this meta-analysis describes the findings for student achievement (116 studies), aptitude treatment correlation (9 studies), and student attitude (8 studies). Findings are analyzed by both type of media…

A small rural high school initiated an 8-period day to offer students the increased number of credits required for graduation. Elective offerings, elective enrollments, and participation in extracurricular activities increased. Teachers and students liked shorter classes, grades improved, dropout rates declined, and teacher-pupil ratios dropped in…

The goal of this mini-unit is to teach elementary students economic concepts related to consumerism and to develop problem-solving skills. Students test a product such as sugarless bubble gum and study how it is advertised. The students then make their own advertisement for the product. (RM)

Describes a study of the development of a new oral proficiency test which could replace the existing English as a Foreign Language Oral Matriculation test in Israel. The deficiencies of the existing Oral Matriculation test are specified, and the components of the experimental test are described. (Author/SED)

Surveys recent literature on computer programing focusing on psychological studies of the programing task and selected instructional issues related to precollege programing. The cognitive demands and outcomes of programing, the influence of instruction on learning, and individual differences in outcomes of programing are specifically addressed.…

The educational establishment should accommodate itself to society's historical shift from industrial production to increasingly service-oriented work functions. Broadening the educational experiences of the labor force to a lifetime approach of self-growth would be consistent with this societal transition. (CJH)

A distinctive difference between Japanese and most Western education is the breadth of curricular offerings in Japanese schools, which all include academic subjects, moral education, and special activities. Teacher training programs include specially developed courses that address moral education and special activities as well as regular academic…

Describes two microcomputer-assisted adaptations of traditional methods of teaching word recognition (alphabet-spelling method) and phonics (sound-symbol method) which are designed for use with students who have severe physical and communication handicaps, language disabilities, or fine motor problems. A clinical protocol is outlined for…

The effects of two types of structured academic conflict, controversy and debate, were compared with individual study on a number of dependent variables. Sixth graders (n=72) were assigned conditions on a stratified random basis controlling for sex, reading ability, and handicapping conditions. Results indicated that controversy promoted the most…

The results of synthesizing 40 studies regarding the effects of gender characteristics of instructional materials on students indicate that sex-equitable materials can improve both male and female students' learning experiences and assist in developing gender-balanced associations and more flexible sex role attitudes. Effects on preference and…

A model is presented for postsecondary French language education based on the belief that linguistic improvement and cultural rappprochement are complementary goals. Data on secondary French immersion enrollment trends are noted, and planning difficulties due to small enrollments and insufficient information about career goals are discussed. (MSE)

Recommendations of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers regarding measures that should be implemented in Western Europe concerning the learning and teaching of modern languages are outlined. General measures and measures concerning language learning at all school levels, language learning by migrants, teacher education, and international…