Explains the concept of a computerized simulated student as a model of human learning and explores three areas of application: for teachers, for students, and for instructional designers during formative evaluation. Technical limitations, existing prototype systems, and possible future systems are discussed for each area. (Contains 85 references.)…

Examines assumptions inherent in open-ended learning; describes features of open-ended learning environments; and discusses implications for research, development, and implementation of open-ended learning systems. Highlights include context and experience; learner control; higher-order cognitive skills; understanding versus knowing; orienting…

Asserts that travelers' diaries are excellent primary sources that can be used to teach geography. Maintains that state historical societies and local archives are good sources for these documents. Includes lengthy excerpts from two diaries and a student worksheet. (CFR)

Asserts that, for generations of immigrants, the federal immigration station at Ellis Island, New York, left an indelible first impression of life in the United States. Presents a lesson plan based on photographs of immigrants at Ellis Island and two poems about immigration. (CFR)

Presents instructional strategies for teaching middle school students about time zones and why the earth experiences night and day. Provides instructions for helping students make and use sextants and sun dials. Describes class activities and student-teacher dialogue. (CFR)

This continuation of a study that explored the information behavior of scientists focuses on a joint analysis of the Kirton Adaptation-Innovation Inventory (KAI) and the Learning Styles Questionnaire (LSQ), which were used to investigate the cognitive styles, problem-solving styles, creative styles, and learning styles of the scientists. (59…

Two experiments examined the role of phonemic processing in disabled readers. The first involved disabled and nondisabled second and fourth grade readers' ability to identify and discriminate phonemes. The second examined the effect of phonemic stimuli training on disabled readers who performed poorly in the first experiment. Training…

Discusses possible changes that may occur in higher education in the coming years in methods of teaching and learning history. The use of new technology to update current teaching methods and student assignments is described, including the use of machine-readable records and databases together with optical disks and hypermedia for visual images.…

In search of a better understanding of the learning difficulties in basic electricity, learning results, interest, achievement motivation, IQ, and cognitive development were investigated in students from both urban and rural schools. An analysis reveals that, for urban classes, learning is related primarily to interest and motivation and, for…

Illustrates how history can be taught through a problem-solving method. Encourages teachers to use critical thinking methods based on experience, helping students develop a systematic approach to thinking about historical problems. Stresses developing students' ability to evaluate historical sources allows teachers to direct a more interactive…

Discusses a project using cooperative learning as a tool for building learning communities of minority teachers in Texas, describing academic achievement, self-esteem, social skills, and collaboration in relation to 50 teachers participating in the project. Cooperative learning and teacher empowerment brought teachers closer together in a short…

Presents photographs and descriptions of various tools of the teaching profession, discussing what makes certain ones stick. A history of print media, furniture, writing tools, audiovisual materials, and computers is included. The best tools available are described as those that become magic in the hands of a master teacher. (SM)

A study asked 24 first grade children from 3 different classes to write number sentences and select appropriate alternative number sentences for addition and subtraction word problems. Results indicated that children could be characterized into five clusters according to their flexibility in accepting alternative number sentences and that…

When comparing performances across four versions of Computer as Lab Partner curriculum, increases in understanding were found when students predicted outcomes and reconciled results, and students used a heat-flow model of thermodynamics to integrate their experimental results. Argued is that curriculum must explicitly motivate students to…

The potential of concept mapping, a learning strategy, coupled with assessments oriented toward problem solving used to facilitate meaningful learning, is examined. How students make and use concept maps in studying and the factors that influence the way they are made and used are discussed. Sample concept maps are included. (KR)