Discussion of learning styles and learner control focuses on a study of college students that paired field-dependent and field-independent learning styles with different instructional control treatments. The use of interactive video lessons and a printed self-study guide is described, and treatments for the experimental and control groups are…

Results from an experiment with 28 experimental and 28 matched control college students taking a 13-week computer science course support the potential of modeling and coaching students in metacognitive strategies to enhance learning. The instructional method had significant long-term and short-term effects on cognitive and affective learning…

These comments on EC 604 103, concerning child temperament effects on the special education process and outcomes, focus on how the author became interested in the topic, reasons for the paucity of research in this area, the relationship between child temperament and parental temperament, and ways in which teachers can apply the research. (JDD)

Describes an activity that demonstrates a teaching-learning model in which students ask yes or no questions to determine an unknown number on a number line. Provides a sequence of five steps to carry out the activity and suggestions for extending and expanding the activity for different grade levels. (MDH)

Describes educational innovations that have taken place at Fearnhill School (Letchworth Garden City, England) as part of the Education 2000 project. Highlights include moving from teaching to learning; cooperation between teachers, community groups, and private sponsors; use of the library; computer technology, including conferencing; and the role…

Discusses an interactive approach to teaching a year-long, holistic introductory course that integrates anthropology with sociology. The course incorporates a number of specific techniques for eliciting student participation and is premised on the philosophy that mental engagement is especially appropriate in sciences that deal with reflexive…

Describes study conducted at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto that investigated graduate education students' use of audio conferencing (AC) in distance education. Evaluation results of student questionnaires are discussed, including effects of absence of visual cues; student attitudes; and role of…

Describes a study that investigated the effects of using different forms of computer-based feedback on high school students' learning of science material. Hypotheses tested are discussed, five feedback conditions are described, posttests are explained, and results are discussed in terms of the information processing effects of different feedback…

Describes a lesson on pseudoscience for a teaching methods course that promotes active student participation, is not a laboratory activity, and follows the sequence of the three phases associated with the learning cycle model. Contains a true-false science questionnaire to be administered to students as a bridge to discussion. (PR)

Five experiments examined children's use of eye gaze information for inferring another person's desire. Found that 4-year olds used another's eye direction to infer desires, while 3-year olds could use other nonverbal cues. Two- and 3-year olds used eye gaze for desire inference when presented dynamically with other scaffolding cues. When…

The ultimate learning environment is the Internet itself. Digital media are helping educators and students shift from linear to hypermedia learning; from instruction to construction and discovery; from teacher- to learner-centered education; from absorbing to synthesizing material; and from school-time to customized lifelong learning. (MLH)

A study used focus groups to allow students, general-dentistry residents, and dental faculty to discuss issues related to learning to use touch in dental treatment. Analysis of group interactions indicated that learning to touch dental patients was often trial-and-error, and uncomfortable for students. A fine line exists between preventing…

Describes school-reform efforts in Anderson Community Schools (Anderson, Indiana) that are partnering schools, parents, and the community so students have the education and training to perform jobs needed in the future. Discusses the need for change, collaboration, the use of technology, and new models for learning. (LRW)

Reports on a study that examined undergraduate student pairs carrying out an electronic discussion task in a synchronous computer mediated communication system. Discusses collaborative argumentation; focusing; knowledge construction; learning processes; comparative analyses of dialog between tutor and student; and peer coaching. (Contains 33…

Analyzes data on the acquisition of German by Italian and Spanish speakers. Findings reveal that children learning a first language and adults learning a second language build up syntactic structure in much the same manner, and propose that the weak continuity approach of language acquisition accounts for all instances of syntactic acquisition.…