Describes a software library developed to teach biophysics and physiology undergraduates that includes software on (1) the Hodgkin-Huxley model for excitation of action potentials in electrically excitable cells; (2) a random-walk model of diffusion; (3) single voltage-gated ion channels; (4) steady-state chemically mediated transport; and (5)…

Discusses reading motivation and suggests the use of interactive technology as an effective motivator. Topics include encouraging creativity; linking reading and writing; developing listening skills with CD-ROM interactive books, audiotape-filmstrips, and captioned television; visualizing with slides and transparencies and images from the…

Maintains that region familiarity is an important prerequisite in the instructional use of cartograms. Cartograms are value-by-area maps that increase or decrease areas in order to illustrate various data (e.g. book reading in the western United States). Discusses necessary cognitive processes for the visualization of data. (MJP)

Discusses high recall search strategies for undergraduates and how to overcome information overload that results. Highlights include word-based versus visual-based schemes; five summarization and visualization schemes for presenting information retrieval citation output; and results of a study that recommend visualization schemes geared toward…

Recent research demonstrates that many issues related to the structure of natural numbers and the relationship among numbers are not well grasped by students. In this article, we describe a computer-based learning environment called "Number Worlds" that was designed to support the exploration of elementary number theory concepts by…

This article explores the role of vision and vision-building in public schools as a tool for bringing about a redirection of educational institutions. A reanalysis of 32 interviews with teachers and principals in schools involved in Oregon's "2020 School Improvement and Professional Development" program revealed that most school goals…

The validity of a spatial visualization test for selecting candidate engineering students was assessed. The test was administered to 300 out of the 318 students enrolled during the winter quarter of 1989 in the Engineering Graphics 110 course at a major state university. Developmental steps undertaken to enhance the theoretical basis and validity…

The effects of an experimental geometry course on gender differences in standardized test performance were studied. The experimental approach involved: (1) reading new concepts and materials followed by class discussion; (2) relating applications to real-life situations; and (3) conducting a spiraling review of concepts throughout the year.…

Three non-academic teaching strategies were evaluated for their impact on the academic, behavioral, and self concept learning of 40 trainable mentally retarded and 44 learning handicapped children (8-12 years old). The children in each category were divided into four groups: a control group, a visualization training group, a relaxation training…

The literature on learning research pertaining to the internal processing operations of the learner was reviewed. The current thinking of learning theorists regarding the nature and importance of these processes in learning and retention is described, and their significance for instructional technology is examined. Verbalization, imagery, and…

The planning activities in this research program included a review of the applied and theoretical literature in the field of learning, retention, and training, a selection of an appropriate taxonomy of tasks, a survey of Naval jobs to determine critical tasks from the standpoint of training, a series of technical meetings with consultants, and a…

Discusses a study which was designed to examine if spatial-visual skills are related to learning the volume concept and if a particular mode of presentation for teaching volume is preferable for students of differing spatial ability. Results indicate that students of low visual orientation benefit if volume is taught before area and length. (ML)

This paper present a model of factors influencing the teaching-learning exchange in adult distance education, focusing on five factors that have primary influence on the teaching-learning exchange: the teacher, the student, the content, the environment, and the learning community. Several techniques are proposed to overcome the limitations of…

This article describes a variety of ways learners can help themselves remember new words, choosing the ones that best suit their learning styles. It is asserted that repeated exposure to new lexical items using a variety of means is the most consistent predictor of retention. The use of verbal, visual, tactile, textual, kinesthetic, and sonic…

Separate experiments investigated parietal lobe malfunction; developmental v acquired dyslexia; whole-word, syllabic, and alphabetical reading ability; phonological recoding; and spelling. Reading processes and memory of normal and aphasic children were compared. (CP)