This paper reports on use of mnemonic strategies with eight junior high students with mild mental disabilities, involving mnemonics supplied by the teacher as well as generated by the class. Results indicate that students successfully learned content using the mnemonic strategies and reported enjoying instruction when the strategies were used.…

Reviews research on how geographic maps influence the recall of associated text and describes a theoretical model of map-text learning based on dual-coding theory and working memory operations. Instructional implications are explained, and recommendations for instructional applications are given. (Contains 84 references.) (LRW)

In three experiments, three normal preschoolers were presented with sorting tasks ordinarily insoluble for four-year-olds. Found that, although the subjects had difficulty correctly sorting the pictures when told what criterion to sort by, they could provide correct answers when asked what they were looking for. This self-instructional effect was…

Twelve adolescents with learning disabilities were trained to use a cognitive strategy in algebra problem solving. The two-phase strategy (problem representation and problem solution) was effective in improving algebra performance on algebra word problems, and maintenance and transfer of the strategy were evident. (JDD)

Suggests that reading is a powerful source in acquiring language competence. The author argues that children do not enjoy grammar instruction, but love to hear stories and read books that they select on their own. Given the lack of clear evidence for focusing on form, it is concluded that free reading should be an option for immersion children.…

Used a microgenetic method to examine knowledge acquisition as a process by coordinating existing theories with new evidence. Subjects were 17 community college students (ages 22-47) and 15 fourth graders. Assessed knowledge acquisition in problem solving in both physical and social domains. Found multiple strategies for, and varying levels of,…

Describes a teaching approach which made connections among reading, writing, English, and world geography, and which encouraged students to transfer learning strategies from one subject to another. (SR)

This study found that categorization strategy training resulted in increased performance on unidimensional, bidimensional, and tridimensional sorting tasks by 4 males (ages 12-16) with autism. Three subjects also showed improvements on generalization probes and maintenance of performance. (Author/JDD)

Examined the nature of sociocognitive growth in 66 kindergarten and first-grade children by having pairs of children work together to solve spatial perspective-taking problems. Found that the entering performance composition of the dyads did not affect cognitive growth, whereas the construction of shared cognitive experiences in which children…

Studies of aboriginal learning styles are reviewed to assess this approach for the study and practice of aboriginal education. It is concluded that interactive learning style approaches offer more than cognitive-based perspectives, particularly those that assume that aboriginal students have more-or-less fixed mental learning capacities. (Contains…

Based on concern for social work students' abilities in self-directed learning, an orientation module was designed to better prepare students for this learning approach. Design of the orientation and specific classroom techniques are presented. It is noted that the process also raised some issues about the nature of self-directed learning. (MSE)

Examines children's comprehension and learning of expository texts on micro-, local-, and global-level processing skills. Finds a gradual increase in higher level processing skills with age. Notes that critical developmental patterns from nine-year olds onward took place in local- and global-level processing. Finds that developmental patterns were…

Strategies to optimize spelling instruction for students with learning disabilities are presented. Teacher-directed techniques involve a test-teach-test sequence, reduced word lists, reinforcement, imitation plus modeling, analogy strategy, and constant time delay. Eight study techniques to help students improve their spelling skills are also…

Contrasts the instructional process for canoeing (explanation of the skill, demonstration, imitation by trainees, correction of errors by the instructor, and trials for further practice) with the coaching process (observation by the coach, analysis of technique by coach, goal setting, trials of modified behavior by trainee, observation and…

Special educators (n=14) at a day school for emotionally and behaviorally disturbed (EBD) students were interviewed about their teaching practices; they concurred in emphasizing active learning, empowerment for students, and adjustment by the teacher to the students' changing needs and interests. EBD students can succeed in regular education only…