Discussion of text segmenting and comprehension highlights a study of elementary students in Australia that tested two hypotheses, one concerning reading abilities and one concerning information processing skills involved in syntactic analysis. Tests that measured vocabulary, comprehension, and processing skills are described, results are…

Hypothesizes that typographic cues structured according to a defined set of common attributes within textbooks enable readers to discriminate between various levels of information and to make generalizations about the information contained in each level. Proposes a method of identifying and ranking categories of information. (KEH)

Discusses the complexity of educating teachers so that they can effectively utilize educational software and integrate it into the curriculum. The cognitive orientation of computer learning environments is emphasized, preservice and inservice experiences are suggested, learning theories are discussed, and a sample experience for teachers using…

Describes computer-based study of undergraduates that examined the consistency of macroprocessing, or cognitive processing, of instruction in different content domains. Presentation modes are explained, pretests and posttests are described, and the implications of the results for the investigation of individual differences in learning are…

The viability of self-instructional strategy training was investigated in a study involving 22 learning disabled and 11 normal fifth and sixth graders. Training produced meaningful and lasting effects on composition skills and heightened the sense of self-efficacy of subjects. (TJH)

Major visuospatial and verbal abilities were assessed for 197 10-year-olds in Hong Kong and 170 10-year-olds in the United Kingdom. The Hong Kong subjects resembled their Japanese counterparts in having high Searman's "g," exhibiting abstract reasoning ability, high spatial ability, high perceptual speed, and low word fluency. (SLD)

Suggests a method for presenting narrative accounts of one event in history so that students can practice analyzing and evaluating sources. Presents historical background about the capture of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 1902, and offers three conflicting versions of this event with the teaching procedures for using the accounts in the classroom. (KO)

Carroll's learning model accounts for variations in school learning with variables, which can be expressed in terms of time and achievement. Most aspects of the model have been confirmed. Ways that the model might be used to address current problems in education are considered. (Author/BJV)

Addresses one of three major challenges facing distance education--its claimed overreliance on behaviorist approaches to teaching and learning. Maintains that distance learning encourages students to review their own learning approaches and to be more proactive about their study methods. (CFR)

Discusses hypermedia as presentation, representation, and construction tools. Emphasizes the importance of technologies that can be adapted to individual needs in a global context; and promotes hypermedia as a construction tool in the education of second-language learners. (JKP)

Emphasizes that educational technology seems ideally suited for reinforcing constructivist theories in learning. Defines constructivism and asserts that it moves away from the traditional objectivist approach to learning. Provides five characteristics of a constructivist lesson. (CFR)

Examines how metacognitive theory can be integrated into the design of computer-based learning environments through the user interface. Highlights include interface design, metacognition and cognitive processes, using metaphors, user access to information, visual feedback, navigational tools, interaction styles, menus, and self-evaluation methods.…

Examined the effects of print exposure on growth of declarative knowledge and vocabulary in 133 college students and 49 elderly adults. Compared groups on two general knowledge tasks, vocabulary, working memory, syllogistic reasoning, and print exposure. Found that exposure to print was a significant predictor of declarative and vocabulary…

Examined the extent to which maternal linguistic input enabled children to use syntactic bootstrapping. Studied uses of 25 common verbs in speech of 57 mothers to their 1-year olds and 2-year olds. Found that verbs can be used to create informative syntactic frames, syntactic frames can cue appropriate verb class, and multiple syntactic framing…

Reports on a study of effects of critical reading and writing skills among 16 college psychology students. Finds that students receiving critical thinking instruction were better able to use argumentative language in term papers. Includes two tables of statistical data. (CFR)