Discusses current learning theories, indicating that though many psychologists and ethologists now agree on using a mechanistic approach, some linguists doubt its adequacy. Implications of research on the mollusk "Aplasia" to understand the learning process are included. (JN)

Reviews learning style research and concludes that five elements contribute to each students' instructional environment--sound, light, temperature, design, and need for mobility. Argues that when those elements are strong preferences it is very difficult for students to overcome them. (FL)

Pattern practice is recognized as one among several methods in the drill-and-integration phase of the learning process. Contradicting many opinions, the article argues that it can be very useful in acquiring communicative competence. But along with it the learner must use real cognitive strategies. (IFS/WGA)

Reports on 5 experiments investigating the effect of blocking words according to semantic category on ordered recall in adults and young children. (Author/RM)

Three experiments were conducted to examine the relations between retrieval and encoding in a levels-of-processing framework. (Author/RM)

This study formulates an empirically derived model of the cognitive transformation of information from urban geographic fields to map representation. It appears that four variables (subject, touring, environmental, map) all contribute to levels of map performance. (BT)

Analyzes the effect recordkeeping has when it is designed to assess children's problem-solving and thinking processes over time. (Author/RK)

Research performed while Shannon Moeser was on a Science Scholarship of the National Research Council (NRC) of Canada, and forms part of this author's doctoral thesis submitted to McGill University. Research also supported by an NRC grant to Mr. Bregman. (VM)

Flexibility in the application of instructional methods is the best approach to a teaching situation. Insofar as possible, a combination of traditional learning methods with heuristic (problem solving) and programed ones should be used. (CK)