This paper examines the tradition of research within the field of educational technology and cites problems endemic to the dominant research methods. It is suggested that a reexamination of the history of the field has intrinsic merit and is necessary at this time; furthermore, historical analysis may assist in the development of new research…

The computer is going to be a catalyst of deep and radical change in the educational system. New conceptual frameworks are needed for thinking about the learning process, and experimental methodologies need to be reexamined. Examples of computer impact in learning situations utilizing its interactive capabilities are presented. (BS)

This paper argues that during the past two decades, research on teaching effectiveness can be identified with three differing paradigms: (1) the technical/"scientific"; (2) the humanistic; and (3) the person-centered paradigms. It is further proposed that if teaching is viewed as an art or craft and learning as an ever present process,…

One strategy to prevent confusion as new paradigms emerge is to have professionals in the area develop and use a standard model of the phenomenon in question. The development and use of standard models in physics, genetics, archaeology, and cosmology have been very productive. The cognitive revolution in psychology and education has produced a…

This review critiques the use of Lev Vygotsky's concept of the zone of proximal development (ZPD) in quantitative research that focuses on the role communication plays in learning. A study that makes claims in terms of the ZPD should include a pretest, a problem-solving activity, and a posttest. Without these minimal elements, researchers are not…

A persistent problem in aptitude-treatment interaction (ATI) research has been the need for a better conceptualization of instructional treatments. The concerns are important in the analysis of instructional treatments: the importance of considering the psychological processes called upon by the instructional treatment, and the ecological validity…

Four separate experiments were completed using the same stimulus materials but different groups of subjects to determine if orienting tasks created problems of control in incidental/intentional learning studies. Subjects were all Caucasians and heterogeneous in age (from 24 to 64 years), educational experiences, and career choices. Those in the…

Comparison is made between the techniques of research used in the physical sciences and those used in educational research, and the relative weakness of the reproducibility of educational research findings is noted. It is pointed out that while monitoring and feedback are essential in any research endeavor, they present difficulty in educational…

Listening is a crucial element in the communication process. To date, however, research efforts have been unsuccessful in identifying the proper role that listening should play in the building of communication theory. To be a legitimate part of the communication process, listening must be placed in a conceptual framework similar to those found in…

In the area of aptitude-treatment interaction (ATI) research, an outcome variable which has received relatively little attention is differential student learning times, or students' relative learning efficiency on one treatment as opposed to another. Although it has been argued that learning times are not appropriate variables for evaluating…

This study dealt with the construction of an observation instrument for instructional cues. Cues are defined as a complex of instructions, methods, and conditions by which students both learn the material and learn to apply the material. As part of the "Classroom Environment Study: Teaching for Learning," the pilot study began a review of the…

Case study is a method currently being used in the field of English in which the investigator gathers data from several sources on an individual: directly from the individual, from the individual's parents, from school records, and from the individual's teachers. The investigator interviews and observes the individual over a period of time in…

Because of recent shifts in understanding the nature of knowledge and the process of learning, there may be major and long-lasting changes in the nature of educational research and its role for educators. Since most people understand through the use of metaphor, a metaphor that previously fostered the understanding of research is the assembly line…

Results of studies involving over 10,000 college students, adolescents, and teachers indicate that the models, paradigms, and methods used to teach cognitive skills, enhance cognitive learning, impact affective learning, or otherwise lead to new behaviors are ineffective for learning about sex. Outlines challenges and priorities for educational…

In recent years, gradually increased acceptance and heightened attention have been granted to extrasensory perception (ESP) research as a legitimate branch of scientific inquiry. This research holds significant implications for education despite difficulties involved with its consideration. Extrasensory perception, an organism's apparent access to…