Aimed at classroom teachers interested in teaching learning skills to their elementary and secondary students, this guide offers an alternative to teaching "facts" that may rapidly become outdated. The guide is based on Dr. Leslie Hart's Proster Theory, which proposes that the brain requires large amounts of input to function; that after…

Noting research suggesting that something more than rote memorization is involved in the process of spelling, this paper describes effective instructional strategies to help students improve their spelling abilities. Following an introduction on the memorization/cognition camps in spelling research, the paper discusses current, but less effective,…

A two-tiered scaffolding model can be used to explain the complex and critical relationships between the teaching and learning of teachers and the students they teach. The first tier of scaffolding is a teacher, or someone else who qualifies as a more capable other, providing support for a student. The second tier depicts the support necessary to…

Collaborative learning strategies can improve the learning of subject matter in content area classrooms, but they are only one aspect among many that influence how much learning will take place in a class period. The Directed Reading-Thinking Activity (DR-TA) is an effective teaching/learning strategy to use with content area material. Much of the…

This paper discusses the results of two studies both dealing with spatial abilities and training. The first investigated the kinds of spatial strategies and personal experiences, both nonacademic and academic, that distinguish students preparing for high spatial careers from others. The second study focused on the effectiveness of spatial training…

Many countries have recently launched massive programs to promote nation-wide adult literacy, but while these efforts have been commendable, it has been observed that neo-literates who acquire literacy through such programs have great difficulty in retaining it; hence an urgent need to develop suitable programs of post-literacy and continuing…

A study examined instructional environment and the relationship between communication apprehension and academic achievement for freshman students in general and for those enrolled in large, introductory level college courses in particular. Data were collected from responses on a short demographic questionnaire and J. McCroskey's PRCA-24…

The power of inquiry teaching is demonstrated as a way in which learning can be transformed from a passive process to a dynamic, enjoyable adventure. Using anecdotes, conversations, and letters, the book describes the application of the inquiry methodology. In addition, guidelines for selecting topics for discussion are included, as well as hints…

This handbook, designed to help teachers of kindergarten through third grade remodel their own lesson plans, has one basic objective: to demonstrate that it is possible and practical to integrate instruction for critical thinking into the teaching of all subjects. The handbook thoroughly discusses the concept of critical thinking and the…

This handbook, designed to help teachers of fourth through sixth grades remodel their own lesson plans, has one basic objective: to demonstrate that it is possible and practical to integrate instruction for critical thinking into the teaching of all subjects. The handbook thoroughly discusses the concept of critical thinking and the principles…

There has been considerable interest in mathematical understanding. Both those attempting to build, and those questioning the possibility of building intelligent artificial tutoring systems, struggle with the notions of mathematical understanding. The purpose of this essay is to show a transcendently recursive theory of mathematical understanding…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of an eclectic thinking processes model on the logical reasoning abilities of students in grades six through twelve. The experimental school consisted of 159 students whereas the control school had 111 students. The Group Assessment of Logical Thinking (GALT) was administered to the sample as…

To what extent and in what ways do issues about content and the teaching and learning of content figure in the conversations between novices and their mentors? This paper explores that question by means of four cases drawn from a large data set about two different first-year teacher programs, an induction program sponsored by a university and a…

Learning modules offer the advantage of improved student knowledge through demonstrated competence with the instructional materials. Separate lessons are delivered with quizzes available after each lesson. Multiple quiz forms are necessary. When the students believes he is prepared, the student requests and takes the quiz. A standard level of…

Studies show that metacognitive strategies can increase learning skills and that independent use of these metacognitive strategies can be gradually developed in people. The school library media center is the ideal place for students to learn how to develop metacognitive strategies; that is, they can learn how to connect new information to former…