Gifted students in grades 6-8 were divided into two experimental groups, one receiving traditional creative problem-solving training and the other receiving creative problem-solving with transfer strategies infused; there was also a control group receiving training in various memory tasks, analogical skills, and logic exercises. After the…

This booklet addresses two of the competencies needed by part-time faculty who teach adults. The competencies are adult learning and the need for quality in preparation to assure quality in instruction. The booklet begins with a discussion of just who the adult learners are. The next topic is adult motivation to learn at the beginning, during, and…

This paper reviews self-efficacy research with special emphasis on students in school. Bandura's emphasis on domain-specific assessment is useful for understanding student learning and fits well with current research on instructional processes. A self-efficacy model of student learning is presented, comprising entry characteristics, self-efficacy…

A crucial, parent-taught curriculum of success must compliment the work of the schools. This booklet details the components of that hidden curriculum and includes many specific strategies to help parents raise healthy achieving children. Three important parental commitments are discussed. (JD)

PORPE, a comprehensive strategy system utilizing writing, was originally created for students who wanted to know how to study for essay examinations in their college courses. With PORPE, students are involved in (1) predicting potential essay questions to guide subsequent study; (2) organizing key ideas using their own words, structure, and…

While there have been many gains made in second language instruction as a result of the communicative movement, such as increased sensitivity to learner needs, the movement to some extent, may be considered an extension of a general relativism, promoted at the expense of demanding and serious content. Second language educators have become…

The following essays are presented in this monograph: (1) "Report on the 1983-84 Ford Faculty Seminar: Fostering Intellectual Growth, A Developmental Perspective" (Nancy Hoffman); (2) "Teachers Observing Teachers" (Francis R. Hart); (3) "Teaching Improvement and Teacher Evaluation" (Howard Cohen); (4) "Course Rhythms, Learning Structures, Teaching…

A correlational study of 62 8th grade, 60 11th grade, and 58 college students investigated developmental differences in learning goals, study strategy beliefs and their inter-relationship for science classes. Questionnaires measured levels of task orientation, ego orientation, and work avoidance, as well as belief in the utility of two types of…

The Personal Adult Learning Lab, part of the Georgia Center for continuing Education, was established to (1) provide the type of learning environment that can support adult learners in their efforts to develop and direct their own learning projects and (2) enable researchers to learn more about the nature of self-directed learning as demonstrated…

In an effort to understand why pictures are used to supplement learning material, a study explored (1) the role of humor in recall, and (2) whether the effects of humor are independent of the individual's ability level. Subjects--students from either the high SAT (approximate average of 1200 points) population (HS), or the low SAT (approximate…

A series of studies was conducted over a three-year period to determine whether the teaching technique developed in the 1960s called "inquiry training" is effective for teaching problem-solving, thinking, and/or decision-making skills. (Inquiry training is a process in which students are provided with a puzzling situation, are given the…

This reference manual is designed for Peace Corps volunteers who are involved in teacher training in developing countries. It is to be used with the Teacher Training Guide that accompanies it. The first chapter discusses differences between the educational systems of the host country and that of the United States. It prepares volunteers for their…

Little is known about the precise nature of the processing, storage, and recall strategies functional in spatial recall. High school and college samples completed tasks in field-dependence-independence, figural creativity, and verbal abilities. Spatial recall ability was assessed through a map reconstruction task in which subjects were required to…

Designed to address the management and use of computer software in education and training, this paper explores both good and poor software design, calling for improvements in the quality of educational software by attending to design considerations that are based on general principles of learning rather than specific educational objectives. This…

A study identified effective teaching strategies by constructing and comparing the teaching profiles of two eighth grade mathematics teachers whose students made significant achievement gains over the school year. This paper describes procedures used to select successful teachers within classroom groups having students with equivalent cognitive…