This inquiry began with the observation that learning from instruction is radically more efficient for obtaining information than learning by discovery. A series of seven experiments was conducted to determine some of the factors involved in learning from verbal instruction. The perspective adopted was that of communication theory, in which the…

Children six to eight years old each played a game which was labeled either sex-appropriate, sex-neutral, or sex-inappropriate. Measures of performance and attractiveness of the game were obtained. For both boys and girls, performance was highest when the game was labeled sex-appropriate, intermediate when no sex label was given, and lowest when…

This study examines the effects of using a learning game "Equations," student teams, and the game-teams combination on classroom process variables in seventh grade math classes. Using the game created greater student peer tutoring, less perceived difficulty, and greater satisfaction with the class. Using student teams resulted in greater student…

Concepts of general systems theory, cybernetics and the like may provide the methodology for communication theory to move from a level of technology to a level of pure science. It was the purpose of this paper to (1) demonstrate the necessity of applying systems theory to the construction of communication theory, (2) review relevant systems…

The Developer's Manual No. 3 is part of a set of 21 manuals (AA 001 009-001 029) used in APEX (Air Pollution Exercise), a computerized college and professional level "real world" game simulation of a community with urban and rural problems, industrial activities, and air pollution difficulties. The first two sections, which are the same in each of…

While educational critics and reformers are asking schools to become the agents of cultural and social change, there are some teaching methods which can be used now, within the existing system, to help students help themselves to grow and learn. This book presents a wide variety of multimedia methods designed to make the best use of currently…

Number activities for use in kindergarten were developed in an attempt to reduce the deficit in numerical experience shown by culturally disadvantaged children upon entry into the first grade. Twelve activities are described with teaching suggestions included. The activities did not undergo formal evaluation. Recommendations are made that the…

The games described in this book for parents are designed to do several things. First, they will help the baby develop basic skills such as focusing the eyes, coordinating the eye and hand, and distinguishing differences among almost identical objects. Second, once he has these basic skills, he needs to become aware of how the skills can be useful…

Easy-to-do toys and activities for infants and toddlers are described, and instructions are included for making and using them. They are time-consuming to make in some instances and may not be very durable, but when an adult makes toys for children they are setting a pattern that helps children become inventive and resourceful later on. The toys…

This volume presents a collection of problems designed for use in weekly activities in elementary classes. The activities were designed to assist teachers in encouraging creativity and divergent thinking in mathematics. The problems included were originally published in diverse sources. Each problem is coded to indicate the content area and the…

Recognition that students at Midwestern State University, Texas, lacked a basic level of linguistic skills prompted an inductive approach to the teaching of grammar, in which nonsense words were used to introduce concepts of English usage. Working in small groups, students arranged the nonsense words to form sentences which "sound[ed] like…

Any topic, in this case Frogs, can be related effectively to all areas of the curriculum for an exciting and enjoyable reading/language experience. (JH)

Variations on familiar games which can be used to motivate mathematics learning are described. (SD)

Thirty-five short passages are quoted from German literature. The game consists of: 1) finding names of significant authors hidden in the passages--these may appear as nouns or any other part of speech, and 2) identifying the source of the passages. Solutions are given on page 170. (Text is in German.) (TL)

Activities involving rolling dice and recording results in diverse ways introduce children to a variety of basic mathematical concepts. Several games and activities are described. (SD)