Research has shown that although teachers' knowledge about the subject or pedagogy is important, a teacher's professional vision (including their perceptions and pedagogical decisions) can also have a significant impact on the efficacy of their practice. Firmly grounded in the long-standing field of teacher professional vision research, this…

The purpose of this review paper was to conduct a literature review on the effects of colors on learners' learning cognition and emotions. Findings of this review could inform practitioners about better color choices they could use to present information and design learning materials in ways that decrease learners' cognitive load, increase their…

Research has shown that although teachers' knowledge about the subject or pedagogy is important, a teacher's professional vision (including their perceptions and pedagogical decisions) can also have a significant impact on the efficacy of their practice. Firmly grounded in the long-standing field of teacher professional vision research, this…

Two important factors that influence problem solving are the nature of the task and the kind of knowledge brought to the problem by the solver. After a consideration of the definition of a problem, puzzle problems are discussed, as are problem representation and general processes of solution. Also discussed is the question of solving problems that…

The processes and procedures used by expert mental calculators are identified from a literature review. Experts are characterized by knowledge of a variety of methods, ability to recall numerical equivalents, and ability to remember the numbers involved in various stages of calculations. (MNS)

Schemata, as defined recently by reading researchers, represent generic concepts which are stored in memory. They include underlying objects, situations, events, actions, and sequences of actions for use in interpreting new experiences. Research on schemata suggests that teachers need to pay attention to the types of questions they ask when…

Argues that comprehension-monitoring strategies (e.g., establishing learning goals, assessing the degree of goal achievement, and modifying strategies to better meet goals) enhances student success. Describes an experimental course for teaching these learning strategies, the training and instructional methods used, key variables in the…

This monograph presents research findings from a series of 11 studies conducted in grades 5 through 10 on the role of games in learning mathematics. The first chapter considers "What is learning from a game?" and includes two examples of mathematical instructional games, with a definition of such games, cognitive effects, game-related…

Twenty-nine students in grades four, six, and eight were asked to find solutions to fraction equivalence problems and to verify their solutions using discrete material. Discontinuities were observed between strategies students used for producing solutions and supporting knowledge grounded in physical reality. (Author/MNS)

Contrasts Piagetian based research with psychological research of script knowledge-based and domain-specific knowledge restructuring theories. Suggests that a cultural framework incorporating script and domain specific ideas would be more effective for studying historical understanding than Piagetian theories. Concludes that children can…

Presents both an argument and a suggestion for making the teaching of "thought" a visible and substantial component of the English curriculum. (Author/RK)

Research on the characteristics of individuals who have demonstrated a high level of ability in mathematics is presented. The importance of structure in mathematical thinking is stressed and implications for teaching are detailed. (MNS)

Critical thinking is much talked about and much desired in higher education but little understood. Research into critical thinking might benefit from a close examination of the nature of Socratic inquiry as it can be applied in teaching, faculty interaction with colleagues, and faculty research. (Author/MSE)

Children use acquired knowledge as they learn basic multiplication facts. If informal thinking strategies are stressed, the border between "figuring out" and "knowing by heart" gradually disappears. Children will acquire a flexible mental structure of multiplication facts instead of a collection of rules. (MNS)

Discussed are: (1) cognitive learning theory; (2) the learning of mathematics; (3) implications of learning research and theory; and (4) implications for instruction. A major theme is that at the present time even the most basic skills of general usefulness are not being learned by a large proportion of students. (MP)