Assessed the impact of elementary science experiences on the development of sixth-graders' epistemological views. Found that, compared to students in a traditional science classroom, those in a constructivist classroom developed an epistemological stance toward science that focused on the central role of ideas in the knowledge acquisition process.…

Explores how inscriptions are used to create argumentative positions in two classroom episodes. Finds that the classroom activities resembled those of scientific communities in several ways: (1) Real-world, dilemma-driven problems were presented; (2) students evaluated the inscriptions offered in terms of their adequacy for advancing particular…

A study of the semantic processing abilities of undergraduates with learning disabilities (LD) (n=11) and controls (n=11) found no significant differences on the Test of Adolescent/Adult Word Finding; however, students with learning disabilities demonstrated a significantly greater number of delayed responses. Students with LD also showed delays…

This article considers how information regarding processing limitations in children with specific language impairment (SLI) might be extended to assist in early identification of toddlers at risk for language disorder. Preliminary findings from an investigation of early lexical processing of 15 late talking toddlers and 15 controls are presented.…

This article explores evidence related to the idea that children with language impairments present co-occurring limitations in data-driven and conceptually driven processing. It concludes that together, these limitations contribute to a heightened sensitivity to increasing task demands in children with language impairments. Assessment and…

Focuses on complementarity between cognitive and social aspects of writing. Shows that second language (L2) composing processes are constructed in particular social and historical circumstances. Analyzes three areas of L2 composing that are socially mediated: task environment; situated nature of the skilled/unskilled distinction; and the role…

Explains federal standards that libraries can use to make Web sites accessible to users with disabilities. Describes Section 508 standards from the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; types of disabilities to consider, including vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive impairments, and seizure disorders; graphics; and conflicting interpretations of the law.…

The functional play of children with autism (n=15) was compared to that of developmentally matched children with Down syndrome (n=15) and typical infants (n=15). The functional play of the children with autism was less elaborated, less varied, and less integrated than that of the controls. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

A study examined domain specificity and domain generality of creativity in 109 second-graders. Children exhibited a range of creative abilities across different domains, rather than a uniform creative ability in diverse domains. Divergent thinking measures did not predict creative performance in at least two of three domains assessed in the study.…

Explores the usefulness of a typology of contact mechanisms for one type of contact setting: that of a typical immigrant language, in this case the variety of Turkish that is spoken in the Netherlands. Examines the relevance of insertional code switching to the genesis of mixed languages--Dutch and Turkish. (Author/VWL)

Comments on an article that argues that the compartmentalism of structures observed in mixed languages is the result of the cumulative effect of different contact mechanisms. Focuses on the suggestion that "words are not simply words, but are divided into functional categories." (Author/VWL)

Reports on a longitudinal study that examines first language vocabulary decline in a child whose native language input effectively ceased after her immersion in a second language environment. The subject was a Russian girl adopted by an American family and brought to the United States, completely isolated from any contact with Russian. (Author/VWL)

Briefly summarizes methods of presenting laboratory information. Suggests that approaching lab problems requires a combination of methods structured into a problem-oriented learning experience. Focuses on the relationship of the gloxysome to the chloroplast and the steps involved in solving the problem. (DDR)

Examines the learning profiles of students in political science courses at a private liberal arts college. Using the Kolb Learning Style Model, demonstrates that students in political science courses use a variety of learning styles. Suggests that instructors expand their teaching methods to address a broader number of learning styles. (DSK)

This review describes the theory behind two new measures of spoken word recognition for children with sensory aids, the Lexical and the Multisyllabic Lexical Neighborhood Tests. It then summarizes data concerning the tests' word familiarity, interlist equivalency, and test-retest reliability. Results indicate that deaf children with cochlear…