In the preparation and education of civil engineers it is essential to both increase student knowledge of the world (conceptual understanding), but also to establish and develop new ways of thinking (epistemology). Both of these processes of change can be considered learning, but they are vastly different in the time, energy and resources they…

Moses is entering 7th grade this semester. He is a graduate of the Accelerated Learning Program (ALP), a Liberian government initiative to assist over-age students to complete six grades of primary school in three years. He has all the interests of a typical 15-year old--fixing generators, playing football, earning money to buy a school uniform.…

The purpose of this article is to construct Piaget's contributions to education, focusing on cognitive aspects. Explored are the goals of education: independent inquiry and acquisition of a body of information, passivity in traditional education, and the psychogenetic view of knowledge formation. (SK)

THE "CASE" PROGRAM WAS DEVELOPED TO PROVIDE A VEHICLE FOR UNDERSTANDING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL PROCESSES INVOLVED IN CONCEPT LEARNING BY MEANS OF COMPUTER SIMULATION TECHNIQUES. BECAUSE THE MAJORITY OF PUBLISHED "SIMULATION OF CONCEPT LEARNING" PROGRAMS PROVIDED FEW INSIGHTS INTO THE LEARNING PROCESS, THE "CASE" PROGRAM…

THIS EXPERIMENT WAS DESIGNED TO INVESTIGATE (1) THE AMOUNTS OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATED BY THE KNOWLEDGE OF A PRINCIPLE AS OPPOSED TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF CUES AND (2) THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF A PRINCIPLE AS OPPOSED TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF CUES AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF LEARNING. THE FOUR GROUPS MAKING UP THE EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN WERE A CUE GROUP…

Preservice teachers classed as having high or low conceptual levels were assigned either to highly or moderately structured learning environments. Those in the moderate structure scored significantly higher on knowledge level items; those in the high structure integrated and applied the knowledge to a greater extent. (Author/SK)

Discusses recent studies related to conceptual understanding in the domain of history, comparing the nature of understanding as found in history to that of other domains. Considers the role of sources in historical knowledge, the role of the historian, causation and explanation, and narrative exposition. (MJP)

Maintains that certain concepts in mathematics are difficult to learn because of problematic continuity from prior knowledge to new concepts. Focuses on the problems of conceptual change connected with the learning of calculus and the shift from rational to real numbers. Summarizes the results of a study involving secondary students. (MJP)

A 3-MONTH STATUS REPORT WAS MADE ON THE ACTIVITIES PURSUED IN PHASE 1 OF A LARGER 10-YEAR PROJECT DEALING WITH THE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EDUCATIONAL FACTORS INVOLVED IN TRANSFER OF TRAINING. REPORTS OF ONGOING PROJECTS AND THEIR CURRENT STATUS WERE PRESENTED. THEY INCLUDED (1) A STUDY OF THE TRANSFER EFFECTS OF WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS TO TASK PERFORMANCE…

Explores the intuitive understanding of biology that occurs in early childhood and discusses later cognitive changes that occur. Young children possess a vitalistic understanding (e.g. breathing brings power to the body) that becomes mechanistic (e.g. an understanding of the heart and lungs) as they mature. Includes statistical and tabular data.…

A STATUS REPORT WAS MADE OF THE ACTIVITIES PURSUED IN A 3-MONTH PORTION OF PHASE 1 OF A LARGER 10-YEAR PROJECT PLANNED TO STUDY THE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EDUCATIONAL FACTORS INVOLVED IN TRANSFER OF TRAINING BY USE OF PROGRAMED SELF-INSTRUCTION PRESENTED BY TEACHING MACHINES. THIS MEDIUM WAS CHOSEN BECAUSE IT PROVIDES LABORATORY-LIKE CONDITIONS SUCH AS…

Describes a theoretical framework for the analysis of conceptual change that considers conceptual knowledge as a generative cognitive tool for the creation of more specific mental representations. Argues that a task-oriented interaction between propositional structures and mental models can help learners evaluate the consistency of their…

PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EDUCATIONAL FACTORS INVOLVED IN THE TRANSFER OF TRAINING WERE STUDIED BY USE OF PROGRAMED SELF-INSTRUCTION USING TEACHING MACHINES. THIS MEDIUM WAS CHOSEN BECAUSE IT PROVIDES LABORATORY-LIKE CONDITIONS SUCH AS STABILIZED METHODS, AND STIMULUS CONTROL INCLUDING CONTROL OF TEACHER PERSONALITY, PLUS A STEP-BY-STEP RECORD OF THE…

Examines perceptions concerning the shape of the earth and the causes of the day/night cycle among American Indian children. Interviews with 26 Lakota/Dakota elementary children revealed a preference for a synthetic model of the earth and animistic explanations for the day/night cycle. Includes excerpts from the interviews. (MJP)

This paper contends that efforts at educational reform must focus, above all, on the instructional encounter between teachers and students. The argument is presented in triadic sequence: three basic assumptions about learning, three interrelated models of the instructional process, and three practical approaches to promoting cognitive achievement.…