Experiences with an instructional strategy which enabled students to build for themselves the appropriate scientific concept for energy are described. This was done by pupil/teacher dialogue in small groups, in which students were expected to create for themselves a "generalization mechanism" based on their own frameworks. (KR)

Investigates the effects of case-based instruction, compared to traditional instruction, on students' ability to activate, assemble, and incorporate different knowledge sources in memory. Finds that activating and expanding knowledge through the use of thematically organized and cross-disciplinary self-selected cases facilitated students' ability…

Describes an experiment conducted at the University of Goteborg (Sweden) that investigated social and cognitive differences in communication and recall in face-to-face communication versus computer-mediated communication. Prior experience in computer-mediated communication is examined, and spoken and written communication are contrasted. (18…

Proposes the use of key visuals as a technique to prepare students to read content text. Based on a specific language and content conceptual framework, the use of clear visuals as a prereading strategy acknowledges the role of schema theory in the reading process. (34 references) (JL)

This first installment in a series of edited transcripts based on a conference held at Utah State University in 1987 reviews the main points of Gagne's Learning Theory. Categories of human performance that are discussed include verbal information, intellectual skills, cognitive strategies, attitudes, and motor skills. (Three references) (LRW)

Comparison of performance in 3 practical problem-solving tasks by eighth graders in Singapore (170 boys, 107 girls matched for aptitude, attitude, and prior knowledge) indicated that girls distinctly preferred content familiarity and outperformed boys in several processes/skills when familiar with content. (SK)

This survey of the research into user interface design and its impact on the development of hypermedia users' mental models discusses various design issues including the functionality of the system, system purpose, differences in user background, and system usability. (Author/AEF)

Reports on research designed to discover whether certain conceptual difficulties experienced by present day students in the realm of action at a distance are parallel to the experiences of scientists in previous generations. Contains 60 references. (DDR)

Examines prior learning in physical geography of two cohorts of students on entry to a geography program in the United Kingdom. Identifies differences in comprehension of terminology and topic coverage based on secondary school curricula. Notes a dilemma for instructors of first-year courses trying to meet the varied backgrounds of their students.…

Lists eight principles that underlie the philosophy of flexible learning and discusses their implications for a university. Highlights include flexible access to courses, recognition of prior learning, flexible content, flexible participation, flexible teaching and learning methods, flexible resources, flexible assessment, and ongoing evaluation.…

This framework for learning development in higher education stresses three types of skills--threshold, key, and transferable--and a variety of forms for assessing prior (experiential) learning [AP(E)L]. The function of assessment is both to credit prior learning and diagnose individual learning needs. (SK)

Describes a study conducted in the Netherlands that examined the effect of a user's World Wide Web experience on the search process, which consists of locating an appropriate Web site and retrieving relevant information from that site. Discusses implications for training and supporting student searchers and proposes future research. (Author/LRW)

Argues that, for a misconception to be abandoned, the learner must come to see it as unsatisfactory. The new conception must be intelligible, plausible, and fruitful. Suggests that students should have an active cognitive involvement in the process. Contains 16 references. (DDR)

Argues that some common student misconceptions are perpetuated by teachers, textbooks, and rote-learning methods and that strategies to challenge and change these misconceptions are needed. Focuses on misconceptions related to the eye and how it works. (DDR)

Two experiments tested predictions of dual-route-cascaded and triangle frameworks regarding effect among first-graders of having a word in oral vocabulary prior to reading that same word. Results suggest that word-specific phonological information is represented in the reading system independently of semantic or articulatory influences. Results…