Literature since 1975 concerning the interaction of domain-specific and strategic knowledge on academic performance was reviewed. Focus was on critically analyzing the literature; presenting hypotheses about the interaction; and offering recommendations for future research leading, perhaps, to an information-processing model that captures the…

Studies the impact that musical discrimination training which incorporates models and discriminator foils, as well as modeling and imitation, has on beginning instrumental music classes. Shows that musical discrimination can be developed using these methods. Recommends further study to find effects of discrimination training on instrumental music…

Inquiry is seen as a tension among three modes of imagination. These modes are labeled creation, self-criticism, and observation. Most people do not want to inquire. They tend to cling to their beliefs about the world. Freud's theories are used in a class designed to dramatize inquiry. (MLW)

Discusses self-regulation, learning to learn, and adaptive problem solving, and describes study of third, fifth, and eighth graders. The study investigated whether providing a model of self-regulating skills via teaching a computer to solve problems would increase the number tasks completed, and decrease the error and trial rate. (11 references)…

Research of expert-novice differences is reviewed seeking to show experts possess a large body of domain specific knowledge. It was postulated that experts possess schemas enabling them to classify problems, call up the appropriate automated rules, then apply these to obtain the solution. (DC)

Describes a survey of users of three academic libraries that examined users' reactions to CD-ROM products and compared their satisfaction with different products. Some of the evaluation criteria used include ease of use, satisfaction with the number and quality of citations retrieved, and time spent searching. The survey form is appended. (eight…

Review of recent literature on learning-to-learn focuses on how to improve learning activities. Highlights include criterion variables that influence learning activities; prerequisites of learning, including prior knowledge, intellectual capability, environmental factors, and motivation; learning strategies; how to teach learning strategies; and…

Learning-disabled ninth-graders (n=58) completed a modified Piagetian isolation-of-variables task, and were compared to normally achieving ninth-graders and fourth-graders. Through cluster analysis, four different patterns of task approach were identified, representing normal performance, general conceptual disorder, specific developmental delay,…

The study with three sixth-grade learning-disabled students found that a self-instructional strategy to facilitate the generation, framing, and planning of argumentative essays had a positive effect on the students' writing performance and self-efficacy. Effects were maintained over time and transferred to a new setting and new writing genre.…

Discusses instructional considerations of group size for computerized instruction. Situations calling for individual use, small group use, and large use of computers are described; individualistic, competitive, and cooperative learning are explained; peer tutoring versus teacher guidance is examined; and courseware selection is discussed. (eight…

Analyzes construction and use of analogies in social science texts and compares results to an earlier analysis of physical science texts. Results indicate that categories in the classification system for analogy construction were consistent across disciplines, although differences were revealed regarding how analogies are used in instructional…

A study compared the perceptions of remedial optometry students concerning themselves, cognitive strategies used in studying, the studying and evaluation processes, and study habits with their tutors' perceptions. Two predominant problems emerged: the extent of responsibility of the student in academic difficulty and discrepancies in tutor/tutee…

Among the many teaching strategies that actively engage students are writing tasks, speaking activities, small-group activities, case-study methods of instruction, simulations, role plays, and field studies. The use of writing and small-group discussion by teaching assistants is discussed. (MLW)

Five articles explore various theoretical aspects of problems and problem solving skills. Highlights include strategies to learn problem solving skills; knowledge structures; metacognition; behavioral processes and cognitive psychology; erotetic logic; creativity as an aspect of computer problem solving; and programing as a problem-solving…

The latent composition of the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory for High School (LASSI-HS) was studied through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of results from 367 ninth-grade students. Evidence supports a three-factor model. Interrelationships among the constructs are examined, and use of the instrument is discussed. (SLD)