Based on the sociocultural theory of learning and distributed cognition, using learning aids should benefit students' performance, as learning aids can compensate for a lack of knowledge or skills and reduce strain on short-term memory. The present study investigated the use of a diverse set of learning aids in Grade 8 of vocational education in…

This study aims to identify students' achievement goal orientations, learning strategies they use and the relationship between goal orientations and learning strategies. The sample included 189 students taking an educational psychology course at the undergraduate level. They filled out a questionnaire on goal orientations and learning strategies.…

Highlights the unifying role of metacognition in all levels of learner training. The article argues that one of the premises of any self-directed program should be that of enhancing students' metacognition to prepare them for their own learning autonomy. This paper describes an application of this principle including two examples of its use by…

Describes two experiments conducted with Australian high school students that investigated the use of self-contained, screen-based material for learning new computer application programs as opposed to using manuals and computer screen information that requires split-attention. Discusses redundancy and the need to reduce extraneous cognitive load.…

Thirty postgraduate librarianship students learned about PRECIS indexing using a system that responds as flexibly and intelligently as a human expert to natural language queries. Interactions were logged and analyzed. The evidence obtained supports the notion that individuals employ distinct strategies when interacting with information sources in…

Describes a case study of indigenous tertiary students in the Remote Area Teaching Education Program (RATEP) at James Cook University (Australia) that found that audioconferencing can be an effective learning tool in cross-cultural distance and open learning contexts to promote student retention, a community of interactive and critical learners,…

Suggests a way to overcome the difficulty of teaching effective reading skills to students with diverse interests. The approach is based on four specifications: (1) each student studies a text on a topic in his own specialty; (2) reading practice images students' academic contexts; (3) classes are learner centered; and (4) students are evaluated…

Examines results from a comparative study of the strategies of distance and classroom foreign language learners (French, German, Japanese, and Chinese) enrolled in a dual-mode institution. Data on strategy use was collected through a questionnaire and the yoked subject technique. Results indicate that mode of study is the predominant influence on…

A modified version of the Approaches to Studying Inventory was administered to students in an innovative medical school. It was found that, although the inventory was not predictive of academic success for this group, it might be helpful in student counseling, and student responses were consistent with the school's philosophy. (LRW)

Discusses methodology and results of a study which uses the distinction between deep-level and surface-level approach, to examine the way first-year psychology students tackle studying of a text, and extent to which these study strategies are related to student views on learning conceptions and the quality of learning outcome. (MBR)

Reports results of 1990 study that examined user satisfaction with OPACs (online public access catalogs) at 5 Ontario universities through interviews with 2,916 students and faculty members. Data on OPAC and computer experience, learning methods, and the effects of several variables on satisfaction are analyzed for the entire sample and for each…

Describes a process-tracing study which investigated study approaches adopted by four distance learners enrolled in the Bachelor of Education Program at James Cook University and their mental processes when learning from distance-teaching materials in order to identify textual features which activated mental processes for use in textual design.…

Investigates the performance on different types of inference questions of 2 groups of Zambian secondary school students at grade 10 and grade 8. The texts used were "familiar" (Zambian-focused) or "unfamiliar" (British-focused). Results showed that grade 10 students performed significantly better than grade 8 students. (38…

The relationships between middle school students' multiple motivational goal orientations and their use of multiple cognitive and metacognitive strategies were studied with a focus on relations between these motivational and cognitive variables and students' academic achievement in two curriculum areas. Participants were 602 middle school students…

Describes study conducted with undergraduates in India to investigate the selection of suitable learning strategies in science instruction. Highlights include six independent and seven group learning strategies; components of students' learning potential; the influence of different components of learning potential on three achievement levels; and…