Trends such as technological innovation, downsizing, self-managed teams, and continuous learning imply that in continuing education technical content must be considered in the context in which skills are used. Knowledge of learning processes and workplace socialization suggests that formal training and informal learning must be integrated to…

Study examined whether kindergartners were capable of reflecting on their thinking processes to make self-assessments. Evaluations of audiotapes made during whole-group activities indicated that when children were given opportunities to talk and express their metacognitive skills, they took charge of their own learning and became confident,…

This essay introduces a series of studies developing a statistical theory of elementary learning processes. An attempt is made to derive relations among commonly used measures of behavior and quantitative expressions describing simple learning phenomena. Laws of the theory state probability relations between momentary changes in behavioral and…

Compares seven positions on media influences on learning that were presented in a previous journal issue; discusses the conflict between advocates of a given approach versus integrated approaches to the solving of complex problems; and presents a model that links cognitive processes to computer-based prescriptions for improvements in learning. (35…

Research over four decades supports the learning effectiveness of interdisciplinary curricula. Emphasizing interrelationships across the curriculum creates powerful learning opportunities that help students find relevance in course content and become more actively engaged in learning. This special issue addresses teacher preparation for…

The errors and strategies made by students who consistently use the incorrect-addition strategy on "hard" ratio tasks were investigated. The characteristics of these "adders," such as awareness of noninteger multiples, the use of fractions and decimals, awareness of both within and between ratios, and distinguishing nonratio…

Results of a systematic investigation into university students' (n=236) misunderstandings of d.c. simple circuit operations are reported. These results provide evidence of various misconceptions present before and after teaching the following topics: a battery as a source of constant current; the functional relation expressed by Ohm's law; power…

An attempt to portray the nature of the learning task in university engineering courses is presented. Introductory courses are described first and are then compared to the upper level courses. Emphasis is put on three introductory courses to determine what skills students bring into the introductory course, what the learning task is, and how…

It is difficult for students to unlearn misconceptions that have been unknowingly reinforced by teachers. The examples "multiplication makes bigger,""pi equals 22/7," and the use of counter examples to demonstrate the numerical property of closure are discussed as potential areas where misconceptions are fostered. (MDH)

An auditory comprehension task was used to determine the ways in which first and fifth graders and adults use topic continuity and contrastive emphasis in the assignment of referents for pronouns in sentences. The finding of significant differences in performance for emphasized and unemphasized pronouns suggests that subjects use constrastive…

Discussion of the Just-in-Time Open Learning (JITOL) project supported by the European Commission in its DELTA Programme considers attributes of open learning and the main tasks of learners and tutors. Information technology-based tools for open learning are described and related to these tasks, and planned JITOL user trials are summarized. (17…

Describes a study of Chinese undergraduate students at the Hong Kong Polytechnic that was conducted to examine the reliability and predictive validity of a short form of Honey and Mumford's Learning Styles Questionnaire. Correlations between learning style scores and preferences for different types of learning activities are discussed. (16…

Discussion of user-friendly computer systems focuses on the use of learners' mental models to help in the design of interactive learning systems. Topics addressed include interactivity; human factors research; human-computer interface issues; individual differences, including learning styles and prior experience; cognitive load; measuring mental…

Research has shown that learning is most effective when job-related. The ideal solution for many young students would be work-study programs or apprenticeships that closely relate learning and experience. Industry stresses the need for a fourth "R" beyond the basic literacy skills--readiness for change. Computer simulation programs may help enrich…

Discusses ways in which technology can affect learning, beginning with the nature of the learning process. Topics addressed include characteristics in the educational encounter, i.e., exposition, explanation, challenge, assessment, and motivation; characteristics and roles of students and teachers; matching appropriate technology with particular…