Suggests cognitive style as a conceptual approach to older adult instruction. Summarizes data on younger learners obtained through this approach. Results of initial research indicated older adults prefer the field-dependent cognitive approach to content and methodology. Implications for elderly education are discussed. (RC)

The author reviews some research, particularly that of Roger Sperry, substantiating the existence of different thinking styles in the two brain hemispheres and the development of this differentiation in infancy and childhood. She draws some implications for elementary teaching. (SJL)

The author proposes that Guilford's structure-of-intellect model be used as a starting point for researchers studying the interaction of instructional media attributes with individual differences in cognitive variables. (BD)

Assessed cognitive styles of 300 children aged 3-5 years and explored social factors in children's play based on their cognitive style. Field dependent children engaged more often in activities with others and with concrete objects, while field independent children were more involved in restructuring the environment. (RJC)

Examined vocational decision-making style, contextual anxiety, and exploratory activity in 148 undergraduate students. Results suggest that individuals who rely upon thinking-oriented approaches to decisions and who experience stress with regard to the specific tasks of exploration are likely to engage in exploration of environment and, to lesser…

When students are taught with approaches matching their preferences as identified in Rita Dunn's "Learning Style Inventory," they demonstrate statistically higher achievement and attitude test scores than when taught with approaches mismatching their preferences. Learning styles must be identified with a reliable instrument, because…

Examined ways to create accessibility to generic chemical dependency treatment for people with learning differences. Conducted key informant survey of chemical dependency workers and developmental disabilities workers to determine needs of chemical dependency treatment programs, staff, and people with learning differences in making treatment…

This study compared social learning styles of distance education students (N=40) and equivalent on-campus students (N=63) in health education classes. Comparison on the Grasha-Reichmann Student Learning Style Scales found distance students favored independent learning styles whereas students in the on-campus class were significantly more dependent…

Three brain-research principles--emotional safety, appropriate challenge, and self-constructed meaning--find a one-size-fits-all approach to classroom teaching ineffective for most students. A child needing an open learning environment will feel intimidated by a controlling teacher. Differentiated classrooms are responsive to students' varying…

Tests the hypothesis that holistic students tend to use communication strategies that are based on holistic comparison, and analytic students tend to use strategies that are based on description and segmental perspectives. Suggests that individual differences in patterns of communication strategy usage can be attributed in part to cognitive style.…

Discusses the theory of multiple intelligences and what it tells English teachers about students' writing processes. Discusses results of a study of the writing processes of 10 high school juniors whose cognitive profile featured visual-spatial intelligence and subordinated linguistic aspects. Discusses the importance of matching instructional…

Student differences in learning mathematics are categorized under four different mathematical learning styles. The names of books providing examples on how mathematics teachers can differentiate their classroom instructions are mentioned.

This article examines the role of intuition and/or analysis cognitive styles and approaches to studying in business education. The Cognitive Style Index (CSI) and Revised Approaches to Studying Inventory (RASI) were administered to 222 American undergraduate business students. The authors found a relationship between analytic orientation and grade…

This study examined children's explanatory style for health- and safety-related events. Fifty children (ages 8 to 11) were interviewed using 12 health-related questions based on Seligman's Content Analysis of Verbatim Explanations (CAVE) method. Children and their mothers also completed a health status form, which included questions on the…

Designed to gain a more thorough understanding of the cognitive processes involved and apply this knowledge in defining improved teaching strategies, this study of contour interpretation (referred to as "position fixing") required 12 subjects to locate their position on a map after being transported, blindfolded, to test sites where…