Describes a survey of 101 students at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) to examine the efficacy of student-generated study groups. Indicates that college study groups were fairly widespread at UIC, with 34% of the total sample having participated in groups and 85% citing improvement from participation. Includes 21 citations. (MAB)

Presents a framework for studying the effects of the Maturation Hypothesis on the problem of language learning, parametrically conceived, and offers a method for finding all existing maturational solutions for any parametric hypothesis space and any learning algorithm that differs from Gibson and Wexler's Triggering Learning Algorithm. (27…

Describes a group activity that uses a tree as a metaphor to reflect both group and personal growth during adventure activities. The tree's roots represent the group's formation, the branches and leaves represent the group's diversity and capabilities, and the seeds represent the personal learning and growth that took place within the group.…

A mnemonic strategy for writing a research paper is explained. "SCORE A" reminds the student to select a subject, create categories, obtain sources, read and take notes, evenly organize the information, and apply process writing steps. Implementation of the strategy with five eighth graders with learning disabilities is reported. (DB)

Describes the role of reading/writing workshops for second-language classrooms as a flexible way to organize a class for literary instruction. In this environment, students can choose among integrated social activities involving reading, writing, speaking and listening without feeling pressure to exhibit a polished performance every time. (CK)

Addresses how Apple Valley High School (Minnesota) has been able to help marginal students succeed in school. The fundamental actions that contributed to the effectiveness of study-team efforts to help marginal students are discussed, and what has been learned through these efforts is considered. (GR)

Summarizes the findings of a two-month case study of Edmonds Cyberschool (Washington), a resource center for homeschoolers. The study focused on the impact of technology on students' learning as indicated in three areas: attitude toward technology, the use of technology, and value of technology versus other available resources. (Author/LRW)

Proposes that a game called Black Box is a useful tool for introducing various features of scientific reasoning to introductory research methods classes. Outlines the rules of the game and suggests analogies that instructors can make between the game and concepts commonly mentioned in discussions of scientific reasoning. (DSK)

Examined the learning strategies used by 43 American learners of Arabic as a foreign language in their writing tasks. Learning strategies were assessed through a process of introspection. When composing, students wrote down all techniques and procedures used to perform the writing task. Results show both proficient and less proficient learners…

Investigates (1) the differences in deep and surface strategy use of students in an introductory biology class and (2) the differences between the strategies students reported using for test preparation and those they would suggest a friend to use. Finds high performing students used more deep and domain-specific strategies for learning than…

Reports on a study of video use by learners in a multimedia language course, their perceptions of the contribution of video to learning, and the affective evaluations they ascribe to video versus print sources. The subjects for the study were university distance learning students enrolled in a beginning Spanish course. (Contains 14 references.)…

Asserts that college developmental reading students often start out as passive learners. Describes a college reading lab where students practice active, self-directed, independent learning. States that when students are exposed to self-regulation and metacognition, they learn to manage their own learning activities and an attitude of success can…

Interviews 36 practicing teachers, using phenomenological methods to examine what, when, where, and to whom teachers offer choice. Final results focus on the following main points: teachers believe that choice promotes learning and motivation; choice is used in a number of ways; and teachers impose limits on classroom choice based on student age,…

Disability simulation offers a promising intervention when used in conjunction with other learning methods. Issues discussed include orientation activities that increase awareness and provide a context for examining personal values and biases, ethical and safety concerns, the role of the facilitator, and areas of inquiry specific to disabilities…

Proposes using a winter field trip to explore how various plants on a campus thermoregulate. Describes techniques for determining the location of cold stresses in plants and how plants manage to deal with the cold stresses. (DDR)