Formulates decision rules for adapting the appropriate amount of instruction to learning needs in intelligent-tutoring systems. Highlights include minimax decision theory (a minimum information approach), a binomial model, and a comparison of the Bayesian decision component in the Minnesota Adaptive Instructional System and the minimax strategy.…

Describes a method of designing educational technology that is strongly informed by empirical studies of how students actually understand and use technology. Discusses what students need to know about software. (Author/CCM)

Examined 4-year olds' strategy development using a new kind of "same-different" judgment task that minimized memory demands. Found that children's spontaneous behavior was highly strategic, and over trials it developed differently for "same" and "different" trials. Most children who did not spontaneously use the most…

Responds to James Catterall's article "Does Experience in the Arts Boost Academic Achievement: A Response to Eisner." Contends that Catterall does not support his claims concerning the relationship of the arts to academic achievement; instead, Eisner maintains that Catterall is actually examining the contributions of the arts to cognitive…

Suggests the use of written debriefing, in addition to oral debriefing, to improve learning through simulations. Discusses journal writing; the written concept technique; letters; written answers; guidelines for writing; and the evaluation of written debriefing. (LRW)

This article describes implementation of the Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) approach to help students learn a specific essay writing strategy in preparation for a state writing test. It also reviews the theoretical and research bases for using SRSD to teaching writing strategies. (Contains references.) (DB)

Studies fourth grade students identified by their teachers as having 'above average ability' in mathematics who were participating in 'pull out' enrichment sessions. Indicates that these students did not show initial difficulties with turn commands previously reported in mixed populations, and they created strategies to determine the correct…

Explores how the use of the graphics calculator may lead to changes in students' solution approaches and how these changes affect student achievement. Concludes that only prolonged use of the graphic calculator leads to enrichment of the solution repertoire of students and a better understanding of functions. (Contains 11 references.) (Author/ASK)

Investigates whether the reasons for deaf children's poor achievement lie in their strategy development. Reports that structural aspects of sign language counting may influence deaf children's thinking in a way that does not lead to a developed conceptual knowledge base, but rather to refined procedural competence. (Contains 31 references.)…

Argues that using in-class worksheets are versatile and can be tailored to meet specific goals. Finds that worksheets are effective for confronting preconceptions, ensuring class participation, and increasing student/teacher interactions. (CCM)

Discusses the use of information technology, technology diffusion and reinvention, and technology adoption and implementation. Considers the change process in higher education and the need to develop good computer habits and overcome old habits that are based on old teaching and learning methods. (LRW)

Presents a study in which three classes of grade 10 students worked with graphics calculators throughout, five classes used them for approximately two months, and four classes did not use them at all. Posttest results showed that students who had worked with graphics calculators tended to attempt more problems and obtain higher test scores than…

Argues that Darwinian evolution provides a framework for understanding how a polymer such as RNA might have arisen and perpetuated itself in a changing environment. Also explains how one genetic system invents another. (DDR)

Recommends the use of ethical issues to engage college nonscience majors in discussion. Focuses on using problems that pertain to biomedical situations and decisions such as transferring living parts from one type of organism into another. (DDR)

Describes several teaching exercises combining art and ecology that have been used in advanced ecology courses and may be adaptable to art criticism. Considers the nature of art, the ecological content of art, and the artistic form of ecological models. Contains 40 references. (DDR)