Explores the utility of the intersection of genre theory and cognitive psychology in providing a meaningful framework for analysis and design purposes. Reports results of research into the elements of genre that influence users of digital documents and provides examples of the usefulness of this analysis in Web-based environments. (Author/AEF)

Introduces the Emotional Intelligence Framework for systematically addressing key areas of social competence in development efforts. The framework is drawn from recent theoretical and practical research and development efforts on emotional intelligence and related efforts from cognitive and developmental psychologists. Addresses sources of…

Presents the application of decision-theoretic technique to a computer-based tutoring system for elementary mechanics. Uses sound probabilistic reasoning and a student model to identify learners' misconceptions. Focuses on the integration of Bayesian belief networks, item response theory, decision analysis, and database management systems in…

Reports the results of the second part of a research project that investigated the cognitive and physical behaviors of middle school students (17 seventh grade students) in using "Yahooligans!" to locate relevant information for an assigned research task. Sixty-nine percent partially succeeded, while 31% failed. Implications for formal…

Discusses the categories of spatial thinking and explains methods for helping students develop spatial thinking skills, ask open-ended questions, and choose student-centered activities. Provides activity examples that involve spatial thinking for elementary grades. (YDS)

Describes a study of first-year medical students that tested the effects of problem-based tutorial group discussion on learning new information from a text. Highlights include effects of small-group instruction on cognition; randomized experimental and control groups; recall; and results that showed the positive effects of problem-based group…

Children referred for evaluation of learning impairment (n=100) and 243 typical children were evaluated on a visual filtering task. With each additional processing demand, response times increased disproportionately for children with learning impairments. Overall response time predicted academic skills and cognitive ability, but was more strongly…

A study compared 84 readers with learning disabilities, chronologically age-matched and reading level-matched, for the children's working memory performance for phonological, visual-spatial, and semantic information under initial, gain, and maintenance conditions. The working memory deficits of readers with learning disabilities were hard to…

Assessed the impact of elementary science experiences on the development of sixth-graders' epistemological views. Found that, compared to students in a traditional science classroom, those in a constructivist classroom developed an epistemological stance toward science that focused on the central role of ideas in the knowledge acquisition process.…

Explores how inscriptions are used to create argumentative positions in two classroom episodes. Finds that the classroom activities resembled those of scientific communities in several ways: (1) Real-world, dilemma-driven problems were presented; (2) students evaluated the inscriptions offered in terms of their adequacy for advancing particular…

A study of the semantic processing abilities of undergraduates with learning disabilities (LD) (n=11) and controls (n=11) found no significant differences on the Test of Adolescent/Adult Word Finding; however, students with learning disabilities demonstrated a significantly greater number of delayed responses. Students with LD also showed delays…

This article considers how information regarding processing limitations in children with specific language impairment (SLI) might be extended to assist in early identification of toddlers at risk for language disorder. Preliminary findings from an investigation of early lexical processing of 15 late talking toddlers and 15 controls are presented.…

This article explores evidence related to the idea that children with language impairments present co-occurring limitations in data-driven and conceptually driven processing. It concludes that together, these limitations contribute to a heightened sensitivity to increasing task demands in children with language impairments. Assessment and…

Focuses on complementarity between cognitive and social aspects of writing. Shows that second language (L2) composing processes are constructed in particular social and historical circumstances. Analyzes three areas of L2 composing that are socially mediated: task environment; situated nature of the skilled/unskilled distinction; and the role…

Explains federal standards that libraries can use to make Web sites accessible to users with disabilities. Describes Section 508 standards from the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; types of disabilities to consider, including vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive impairments, and seizure disorders; graphics; and conflicting interpretations of the law.…