Students are often faced with the temptation of attractive activities, which may interfere with the learning task and result in detrimental effects on experience and performance. Seventy-seven students (50 girls, 27 boys; M age = 15.9 years; SD = 1.65 years) participated in an experiment that reflected the typical situation of students having to…

An examination of the role of commercially available materials in textbook form in a laboratory setting. (Author)

Argues that teachers can help students improve their learning by understanding the reasons why students have not been successful, by identifying strategies that promote active participation in the learning process, and by teaching students how to become more responsible for their own learning. (RAE)

Identifies learning to learn and information literacy as crucial skills for independent learning, which is becoming the dominant educational paradigm. Outlines characteristics of the ideal library for lifelong learners in terms of resources, access, and services. (SK)

The effect of irregular English orthography (spelling) on foundation literacy, and in particular on alphabetic decoding, is discussed within the context of the orthographic depth hypothesis. A method for circumventing the retarding effects of traditional English orthography, based on the support provided for Chinese pupils learning their…

The educational patterns of individuals who have used library resources in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania for independent learning projects on a continuing basis were studied. The tendency of respondents was to use a combination of all four major types of resources for information and planning: (1) self as resource; (2) non-human resources, such…

Reviving an old idea, some libraries are now helping independent adult learners study what they choose and for whatever reason. (Editor)

A developmental process consisting of four phases that emerged from graduate students' reports of their experiences in a course promoting self-direction is outlined and compared with research on similar processes in other groups. (MSE)

Experiment 1 examined the time course of orthographic learning among Grade 3 children. A single encounter with a novel orthographic string was sufficient to produce reliable recall of orthographic detail. Moreover, newly acquired orthographic information was retained 1 month later. These data support the logistic learning functions featured in…

This study investigated the effects of students' reflections, combined with suggestive feedback, on the development of self-regulated learning and learning outcomes. Suggestive feedback alerts students that further reflection is advisable, without being very directive. Forty-nine students participated in a regular web-based distance education…

In our cognitive motivational process model (Vollmeyer & Rheinberg, "Zeitschrift fur Padagogische Psychologie," 12:11-23, 1998) we assume that initial motivation affects performance via motivation during learning and learning strategies. These variables are also central for self-regulation theories (e.g., M. Boekaerts, "European Psychologist,"…

The conceptual view of independent study that is developed in this paper is based on discussions of four key ideas: (1) independent study is concerned with both learning and teaching; (2) independent study is concerned with the capacity of learners to be self-directing; (3) independent study systems are both internal and external to educational…

Course content in professional education is a weak indicator of whether the student will develop professional competence. An independent study course available in London for professionals emphasizes development of cognitive abilities to organize and present complex information and to learn inductively from experience, accurate empathy, proactive…

Describes a study conducted to determine whether adjunct postquestions induced mathemagenic behaviors to contribute to more effective learning from the self-instructional slide-tape presentation. Another purpose was to determine whether the effect of adjunct postquestions would be more beneficial for lower-ability students than for upper-ability…

Two educators present pros and cons of whether schooling, or the school building is more essential to learning. (Author)