This paper attempts to compare the nativist approach on the contextualization of vocabulary with approaches by behaviorists, empiricists, and neofunctionalists. It considers such themes and issues as the following: cognition, comprehension, and communication; prior knowledge and content; the process of contextualization; the skill and process of…

By measuring the performance of 62 students enrolled in a community college introductory algebra course, this study challenges the generally accepted assumption among mathematics instructors that mastery of arithmetic is necessary for the learning of algebra. Study subjects were 35% male, 74% Hispanic, 16% Black, 8% white, and 2% other. A pretest,…

A cooperative project, involving Empire State College and other institutions within the State University of New York, is described that introduces faculties and administrators at traditional campuses to the nontraditional modes and methodologies of instruction at Empire State. Participants' evaluation of the project are provided. (MLW)

Third grade children (n=24) who were administered the standard, simultaneous version of the Matching Familiar Figures test committed fewer errors when administered a sequential version of the same test than did subjects (n=24) who took the more difficult sequential version first. (PN)

Entry level and senior students given identical pharmacy law units were compared and effects of prior internship and externship experience assessed. Seniors' achievement gain was greater, but prior practical experience showed little effect on achievement. Retention was statistically significant for sophomores 9 to 12 months post-instruction, and…

Describes an independent study program for college students who wish to pursue a truly independent course of studies. Gives examples of individual programs which grew from students' needs and professional experience. Outlines guidelines for independent study. (Author/RC)

A national survey reported on institutional practices in awarding credits for extrainstitutional learning. Results reveal that 98 percent of respondents award credit for extrainstitutional learning, with credit-by-examination, general exam, institutionally developed exams, College Board placement exams, and others used, in that descending order.…

Adult students, it is suggested, are not adequately prepared to plan their education and relate it to the assessment of prior learning. Educational goal clarification enhances a student's ability to participate actively in educational planning and to integrate prior learning into the total plan. (Author/MLW)

Starting programs for new kinds of adult students without delay is one of the urgent actions recommended for the college by a college president widely known for his success in this area. (Author)

Prime features of sound college programs that assess for credit the prior experiential learning of adults are outlined. Faculty judgment underlies all evaluation methods, which include oral exams, written reports, actual performance, or appraisals of advanced professional knowledge. Work of the Council for the Advancement of Experiential Learning…

Advice is given to the individual college about three main kinds of variables to take into account in analyzing all the economic effects of programs for awarding credit to students in recognition of prior learning: process variables, student variables, and institutional variables. (Author/MSE)

Undergraduate education majors participated in a mastery learning situation (unlimited retesting and relearning until the end of the semester) or a modified mastery situation (only two trials per unit allowed). Higher levels of prior achievement and the modified mastery approach were associated with greater learning and retention. (GDC)

Investigated the communicative interactions of dyads of 4- to 5-year olds during pretend play involving routine, or scripted, events as a function of the children's knowledge of the scripts. The study utilized measures of the quantity and quality of interaction and the strategies employed by the children to establish mutual knowledge. (37…

Examines how children's misconceptions regarding scientific phenomena change over time through instruction and other mechanisms. Asserts that Piagetian and Vygotskian theories offer insights into children's misconceptions related to how they are formed and how they are influenced by personal experience and social factors, and that these theories…

Describes a study in which teaching and learning activities are designed using a cognitive conflict strategy. Focuses on the effectiveness of these activities in classroom research in pre-university courses in Botswana and South Africa. Contains 39 references. (DDR)