Studies of aboriginal learning styles are reviewed to assess this approach for the study and practice of aboriginal education. It is concluded that interactive learning style approaches offer more than cognitive-based perspectives, particularly those that assume that aboriginal students have more-or-less fixed mental learning capacities. (Contains…

Based on concern for social work students' abilities in self-directed learning, an orientation module was designed to better prepare students for this learning approach. Design of the orientation and specific classroom techniques are presented. It is noted that the process also raised some issues about the nature of self-directed learning. (MSE)

Examines children's comprehension and learning of expository texts on micro-, local-, and global-level processing skills. Finds a gradual increase in higher level processing skills with age. Notes that critical developmental patterns from nine-year olds onward took place in local- and global-level processing. Finds that developmental patterns were…

Strategies to optimize spelling instruction for students with learning disabilities are presented. Teacher-directed techniques involve a test-teach-test sequence, reduced word lists, reinforcement, imitation plus modeling, analogy strategy, and constant time delay. Eight study techniques to help students improve their spelling skills are also…

Contrasts the instructional process for canoeing (explanation of the skill, demonstration, imitation by trainees, correction of errors by the instructor, and trials for further practice) with the coaching process (observation by the coach, analysis of technique by coach, goal setting, trials of modified behavior by trainee, observation and…

Special educators (n=14) at a day school for emotionally and behaviorally disturbed (EBD) students were interviewed about their teaching practices; they concurred in emphasizing active learning, empowerment for students, and adjustment by the teacher to the students' changing needs and interests. EBD students can succeed in regular education only…

Examines young children's learning, focusing on strategies used to apply old knowledge in new learning. Data from a longitudinal study of early elementary students' mathematical knowledge indicated that children's abilities to learn were strongly influenced by their understanding of the contexts in which they were required to participate in…

Teachers in an urban high school developed a professional growth project highlighting sustained, structured, collegial interactions that were powerful motivators and supported teacher learning and change. The paper describes important foundations for teacher learning, explores the professional growth project, and describes the project results,…

A group of 16 infants (ages 6 to 24 months) with Down's Syndrome (DS) were exposed to two operant learning tasks varying in control of reinforcement. Comparison with chronological and developmental age matched controls found DS subjects characterized by increasing adoption of counterproductive learning behaviors with increasing age. (Author/DB)

This study with 56 learning-disabled adolescents found that intensive generalization training specific to the development of complex mnemonic strategies was demonstrably more effective in recall at 1-day and 2-week intervals than a rehearsal condition. No added advantage was gained by adding attribution training to the mnemonic generalization…

This article notes seven key problems in language learning strategy concepts and classification systems as they relate to empirical research in the area of second- and foreign language development and suggests ways to resolve these problems and thereby increase unity, coherence, and meaningfulness of language learning strategy research. (99…

Discussion of computer conferencing as a collaborative learning strategy and a group-oriented decision-making process highlights a study of undergraduates at the University of Delaware who participated in a computer conference. Technical responsibilities, strategy development, debate advancement, and user temperament are examined; and the value of…

Professional study groups have been a dominant feature of the Richmond County (Georgia) Schools' educational improvement efforts since 1987. Study groups offer a structure that turns all individuals into learners eager to assume responsibility for their own learning and that of colleagues and students. The principal's active participation is a key…

Asserts that educators must stop debating and arguing about the "right" way to accommodate diverse learners but instead should get on with the important task of designing and implementing sensible instructional programs for special-needs children. (RS)

Reconsiders and affirms the general model of factors that influence the portability potential of educational software by summarizing the articles in this special issue. Factors that received the most attention include software design and development; overall instructional approach; teacher training; and cultural assumptions. Areas for further…