Designers of interactive learning environments face the issue of managing the learner's cognitive load, reducing irrelevant sources while optimizing useful sources of load. I propose a conceptual framework aimed at organizing the contributions of the papers presented in this special issue. The framework identifies three main dimensions, namely…

New users learning to use text-processing systems, especially those who are using self-study materials without expert supervision, must often make sense of actions and events in situations where they have little basis, in prior knowledge or current information, for inferring what is happening or why. Many cases have been observed where learners…

Argues that teaching for poetic thought develops not only poets and lovers of poetry, but also readers, dreamers, and doers. Offers suggestions on how it is done.(FL)

The author urges art educators to contribute to holistic education by emphasizing the unique and alternative modes of thinking and acting which are intrinsic to visual arts. He presents two exercises to help students develop a perceptual rather than conceptual or linguistic mode. (Author/SJL)

Briefly reviews theories of brain hemisphere functions and draws implications for social studies instruction. Maintains that the metaphor aids the development of understanding because it connects right and left brain functions. Provides a learning activity based on the metaphor of the U.S. government functioning as a machine. (BSR)

Shows how having students write journals about their learning experiences was an effective teaching technique in the primary grades. (RL)

Examines current arguments regarding the role of creativity in education. Suggests that educators often minimize the importance of the relationship of creativity to tangible creative works. Indicates that creative processes can best serve educational purposes when they are directly tied to the constraints of developing actual projects. (30…

Explores the profound connection between human memory and imagination. Educational ideas that find only incompatibility between memorizing and developing imagination and procedural skills are inadequate. Viewing teaching as story telling transforms the curriculum from a huge mass of predigested material to a collection of great stories reflecting…

Explores the use of picture books to teach children thinking skills. Presents a three-step process in which children first describe what they see, then compare pairs of illustrations, and finally, express an opinion about which of the illustrations they prefer. (EL)

The role of writing in the mathematics classroom is considered. Writing as a cognitive process and its relationship to problem solving is first examined. Then several long- and short-term techniques for promoting cognitive learning using writing in the mathematics classroom are considered. The Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) program is…

Describes activities designed to improve the critical reading skills of young readers. (FL)

Recommends teaching learning-to-learn competencies simultaneously with the course content. Reviews competencies needed for effective learning in the areas of information processing, active study strategies, and self-management. Illustrates opportunities for instructors to teach learning competencies while presenting material or explaining course…

Based on the premise that social studies programs must involve students in dynamic learning and language activities, the article discusses thought and language in social studies education and describes an Ohio State University Program which integrates social studies instruction and active learning-language experiences. (KC)

Content area teachers interested in using writing to learn activities need to be well informed about the learning promoted by certain writing tasks before assigning them. Writing assignments should not be thoughtlessly and arbitrarily assigned with the expectation that learning, somewhat miraculously or mysteriously, will occur. Although writing…

A theoretical scheme classifies user behavior into three domains of library activity--affective, cognitive, and psychomotor--and three levels of learning--orientation, interaction, and internalization. Examples of library skills and errors in each of the nine major classes are given, and applications to library instruction are suggested.…