Describes how selected case examples are used in a mathematics course for prospective elementary teachers to provide a framework for discussing how children construct meaning in mathematics. The article examines the advantages of presenting cases in videodisc format with access to additional information through associated computer databases. (SM)

Researchers examined cognitive processes used to construct meaning from narrative text in successful and less successful ninth grade readers. A coding system analyzed think-aloud protocols students recorded while reading two stories. Students were primarily story-driven readers. Differences between stories rarely affected their responses.…

Designed and presented guidance study skills approach to improve academic achievement in intermediate students by increasing self-efficacy and awareness of metacognitive skills, learning strategies, and learning style information. Findings from 118 fourth graders showed that participants made improvement in all California Test of Basic Skills…

Examines perceptions of adults compared with preschool children in assuming object permanence or discontinuity of existence when an object is removed from their immediate perceptual field. Results showed that a belief in the possibility of the discontinuity of material objects is not unique to the minds of preschool children but can also be…

These authors describe how current cognitive theory has produced two instruments for instructors to use in determining the skill levels and study strategies that dominate their students' approaches to classroom materials. The two instruments are the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) and the Motivated Strategies for Learning…

Examined 3 aspects of construct validity of Expectations about Counseling-Brief form (EAC-B): whether it measures expectations about counseling rather than other constructs, whether test items are clearly understood, whether test maintains respondents' attention. Analyzed cognitions of 30 undergraduates to determine which thought processes were…

An educational intervention was effective in improving the judgment of experienced student-health physicians (N=11) in predicting positive culture in simulated patients with pharyngitis. The intervention was three parts: an initial one-hour lecture; three sessions with computer-based cognitive feedback; and monthly reports of the percentage of…

A study explored the responses of medical students, resident physicians, and experienced physicians to 12 vignettes describing hypothetical patients to determine the relationship between clinical experience and susceptibility to bias in treatment decisions resulting from presentation of possible outcomes. Framing bias was most evident in the…

A 5-year study investigated the effect of training on question-asking skills of 42 licensing examiners in orthopedic surgery. Results indicate that a three-hour training session resulted in examiners' asking many more open-ended and/or problem-solving questions, suggesting the effectiveness of the training program. (Author/MSE)

Contends that improvisation in musical performances can be taught systematically by music teachers. Maintains that each music practice session should include improvisation along with scales, patterns, theory, and listening. Presents an overview of a practice session incorporating each of these five components. (CFR)

Used stepwise discriminant analysis on calibration sample (n=135) of juvenile inpatients to determine which variables best distinguished violent inpatients. Cross-validated model on 123 subjects. Violent subjects were more likely to be younger males with family history of criminal behavior and extensive discord. Violent subjects showed differences…

Contends that the challenges of multicultural education and application of new learning theories are having a dramatic impact on music education. Asserts that a new type of "world music" is emerging in which improvisation and creativity plays a significant role. Includes a table with seven improvisation exercises. (CFR)

Describes a comprehension strategies instruction program called Students Achieving Independent Learning (SAIL). Relates the program to reader response and transactional theories of reading. Shows how the program works in one school system. Compares SAIL with basal series instruction programs. (HB)

Argues that educators should reconsider their current commitment to problem solving as the way to promote constructionist teaching and learning and should focus on teaching important ideas developed within the disciplines. This idea-based social constructivism focuses on the possibilities of a given situation. (SLD)

Reviews developmental literature on cognitive gender differences; and compares past and present trends in gender differences, by age, from standardizations of the Wechsler Intelligence Scales and the California Achievement Tests. Decreases are found in gender differences for adolescents but not for adults. Implications are discussed. (SLD)