This study of 58 first graders used audiocassette recordings of a familiar story to examine the effects of three integrated and contiguous instructional designs using incongruity humor on recognition and recall of information as measured by immediate learning and retention tests. Research methodology is discussed, and 68 references are listed.…

A mechanism which differentiates lower track and regular track curriculum is the teachers' perceptions of the tracked students. This subjective method of defining the what and how of learning is a somewhat autonomous sociocultural, political process which is capable of altering general perceptions of social differentiation. (VM)

A national agenda for the education of gifted students should focus on three areas of unmet needs: the educational needs of the underserved gifted, including underachievers, young gifted, and culturally diverse gifted; a program quality support network, emphasizing research, development, demonstration, and leadership training; and collaborative…

Discussion of the use of color in microcomputer-based educational software focuses on a study of Israeli ninth graders that examined the differential effects of three color treatments on the learning of geometric concepts by students with differential aptitudes. Hypotheses tested are described and results are analyzed. (28 references) (Author/LRW)

A study investigated the freshman year experience of exceptionally able students entering colleges at least two years early. Academic achievement and social adjustment were considered in relation to college type, student residence at home or away from home, degree and beginning of academic acceleration, and student adjustment mechanisms. (MSE)

Discusses the problems of designing a multicultural curriculum that meets the needs of students from a wide variety of social and ethnic backgrounds without compromising their cultural identity or personal integrity. (FMW)

Claude Goldenberg's claim that there are compatibilities between minority children's home and school experiences is critiqued on the following points: (1) the methodology is not ethnographic; (2) home-school cultural compatibilities are not demonstrated; and (3) the model of literacy acquisition is not supported by current theory and research.…

Examined contributions of job- and gender-related variables to Hispanic women professionals' mental health. Income, Hispanic group, discrimination, job stress, and peer support related to mental health. Spouse support and spouse ethnicity were associated with stress in balancing roles and psychological distress. Married women reported greater…

A computer-assisted bibliographic instruction program developed for remedial students to teach them critical thinking skills covered library vocabulary, formats, call numbers, tools, and question analysis. Evaluation showed that students receiving classroom presentation scored higher on a posttest than students using the computer-assisted…

Describes a study that measured undergraduate students' grasp of library concepts taught using the online catalog and the traditional card catalog, and student preferences for one system over the other. The discussion includes the comparative effectiveness of different instructional methods. (12 notes with references) (Author/CLB)

Confronts a widespread prejudice about mathematical knowledge, that mathematics is "culture-free," by demonstrating alternative constructions of Euclidean geometrical ideas developed from the culture of Mozambique. As well as establishing the educational power of these constructions, the article illustrates the methodology of…

Describes study that examined the effect of the use of microcomputers as word processors in a college freshman English composition course. Treatments for the experimental and control groups are described, dependent and independent variables are explained, and results based on pretest and posttest writing samples are analyzed. (21 references) (LRW)

The following factors are required for the development of favoritism: (1) a parent with an emotionally traumatic childhood; (2) a child with an unusual or stressful conception or birth; (3) the investment of a child's actions with "good" or "bad" meanings; and (4) severe marital conflict. To be a favorite is a mixed blessing.…

Forty second grade and 40 fifth grade elementary school children participated in a study to examine the relationship of three factors to the development of trust in children's peer relations: participation in a best friend relationship, social status, and changes in factors children consider when making judgments of trust. (RWB)

A study correlating graduate student fields of study, as defined by three Biglan dimensions for classifying departments, with certain student characteristics (age, citizenship, gender, Graduate Record Examination scores, level of degree pursued, and undergraduate grades) is reported. (MSE)