A study investigated the degree to which scores on content-based tests were influenced by non-content factors such as difficulty with reading, lack of confidence in responding independently to a test, and inexperience with modes of responding to multiple-choice questions. A test compiled from science, math, and social studies material in a primary…

Two hypotheses, the cognitive capacity hypothesis and the selective attention hypothesis, try to account for the facilitation effects of prior knowledge activation. They appear to be mutually exclusive since they predict different recall patterns as a result of prior knowledge activation. This study was designed to determine whether the two…

A study investigated the known phenomenon of "intermediate effect" in which medical students with an intermediate amount of knowledge and experience demonstrate higher amounts of recall of the text of a medical case than either experienced clinicians or novices. In this study the amount of activation of prior knowledge was controlled by…

An investigation of third- through ninth-graders' health-related cognitions used a health belief model to elicit perceptions of vulnerability to health problems, health benefits accruing to health actions, intentions of taking health actions, preventive attitudes, health motivation, beliefs about toothbrushing frequency, and selected beliefs about…

Examining the relationships among social motivations, media use, and levels of political knowledge, a study (1) measured the unique contribution of social motivations beyond simple exposure and individual motivations, (2) tested for interactions between social and individual motivations and public affairs exposure, and (3) examined the interactive…

The effectiveness of environmental simulations in developing students' awareness of environmental issues, whether perception of environmental relationships was affected by the simulations, and whether the use of microcomputers as the medium of instruction affected student attitudes towards computers were investigated in this study. Undergraduates…

The impact of "The Great Lake Erie," an outreach program that aimed to improve visitor knowledge and attitudes about Lake Erie, is discussed in this evaluative study. "The Great Lake Erie" was presented as a two-part program consisting of a lecture and demonstration stage presentation and a series of exhibits. The program was…

The expert-novice paradigm, which demonstrates the outstanding role of domain-specific knowledge in explaining differences in memory behavior and performance, was examined. Two studies are described which compared memory performance of groups equivalent with regard to domain-specific knowledge but differing in intellectual ability. The hypothesis…

Essential knowledge, practice, and values for the education of baccalaureate-level nurses are specified in a report developed under the direction of a national panel of representatives from the nursing, health care, and higher education communities. The report, entitled "Essentials for College and University Education for Professional Nursing,"…

A series of exercises developed and used by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) focusing on citizenship and social studies objectives is provided. Every year since 1969, NAEP has gathered information about levels of educational attainments of 9-, 13-, and 17-year-olds and young adults (26-35) across the nation. Ten learning…

Four tests were chosen for a study that investigated the hypothesis that individual differences in aural comprehension might anticipate individual differences in general information. A composite of eight subtest scores from the Test of General Information (TGI) was used as a measure of students' general knowledge. The Listening section of the…

A quasi-experimental design was used to assess the effects of pre-parenthood education classes on high school students. Participants were 130 students from 8 high schools in Michigan; 26 students not enrolled in the parenting course served as a control group. In both groups, students' knowledge of child development, and beliefs about appropriate…

Gagne proposed in his learning hierarchy model that a final task could not be performed by an individual who does not have the subordinate skills, and that any superordinate task involved in the hierarchy of skill building could be performed by an individual provided suitable instructions were given, and provided the relevant subordinate knowledge…

A baseline geography skills test was administered during 1987 to over 3,000 students who were enrolled in freshmen geography courses at 18 Indiana universities. Known as the National Council for Geographic Education Competency-Based Geography Test, Secondary Level, Form D, this test was used to measure the students' level of geographic ability in:…

The practicum was designed to assist parents of head-injured children in dealing with the special education system. The program provided parents with information about the special education system and encouraged them to take an active role at the Individualized Education Program (IEP) conference. Parents were also helped to better understand the…