Explores the effectiveness of concept mapping, the learning cycle, expository instruction, and a combination of concept mapping/learning cycle in promoting conceptual understanding of diffusion and osmosis. Concludes that the concept mapping/learning cycle and concept mapping treatment groups significantly outperformed the expository treatment…

Investigated in 3 studies whether 2- to 4-year-olds make accurate causal inferences on the basis of patterns of variation and covariation. Found that all three age groups considered information from various patterns of variation and covariation in judgments regarding two objects and activation of a machine. Three- and 4-year-olds used the…

An understanding of student learning and of the reasons for differential student performance is crucial to improving teaching and learning practices in tertiary education. This article aims to contribute to that understanding by reporting on an empirical study which examined two sets of student texts on the topic "What is law?", written…

This paper describes empirical research examining secondary school teachers' conceptions of student information literacy and reflects on the implications for the development of information-literate students. The research was designed to be practitioner centred, focusing on curriculum-based information activities and the student learning process…

Bloomer began using the concept of "learning careers" in 1996 with similar ideas being offered by Hodkinson on "careership". Their collaboration began in relation to research conducted on the transition from school to Further Education. Part of the rationale put forward for further developing this concept was that much of the…

Results show that children with flexible styles obtained higher performances on school learning measures than children who used consistent styles. Study results suggest feasibility of identifying children who tend to use a consistent conceptual style for the purposes of prescribing instructional methods and materials. (Author/PC)

This paper describes the methods and techniques called Conceptual Analysis (CA), a rigorous procedure to generate (without involuntary omissions and repetitions) knowledge bases for the development of knowledge-based systems. An introduction is given of CA and how it can be used to produce knowledge bases. A discussion is presented on what is…

An irrelevant auditory probe procedure was employed to evoke brain event-related potentials (ERPs) in 56 right-handed Caucasian males while they learned concepts presented to them in study booklets. A mastery test was administered to assess concept acquisition. Subjects were divided into two groups according to whether or not their achievement…

It is argued that learning from different sources greatly depends on the differential way in which these sources are perceived, for these perceptions determine to an important extent the mental effort expended in the learning process. Two ideas are discussed: (1) amount of mental effort investment (AIME), defined as the number of nonautomatic…

A discussion of the computer "glass box", which is a bold new approach to teaching children concepts using A Programing Language. (Author)

The effectiveness of three fading and two nonfading procedures were compared in training kindergarten children on an oddity problem in which shape was the relevant dimension. (SBT)

Examines the performance of third grade children, given no feedback as to the correctness of their hypotheses, on color, number, and size dominant conjunctive concept problems. (Author/DEP)

This paper argues that if conclusions about children's grasp of logical concepts are to be reached and acceptable lines of research followed, then more precise definitions of the concept "logical necessity" must be formulated. The paper defines logical necessity as "the unconditional guarantee of truth that accompanies valid…