Writers often must summarize others' texts as part of their own work. To succeed at this, they must first read and understand new information and then transform that information to fulfill a specific purpose. Concept mapping, used as a visual organizing technique, can be an effective link between the two processes. In a preliminary study, students…

This paper reports on a project that involved 16 middle school teachers incorporating fraction calculators into the mathematics curriculum. Teachers completed questionnaires prior to the beginning of the project and again two years later. Findings indicate that two years after the end of the project, teachers held positive attitudes or…

This publication shows step-by-step how trainers may use self-organized learning (SOL) to achieve real and lasting change within an organization at all levels. Each of the eight chapters begins with an "agenda board" outlining the contents and ends with a section featuring suggested activities for developing the skills. An introduction…

Due to its abstract, theoretical nature, the mole concept has been recognized as one of the most difficult topics to teach and learn within the chemistry curriculum. The purpose of this study was to chronicle the development of high school students' conceptions of the mole following a period of instruction in a chemistry class. This investigation…

It has been suggested that students' belief of whether intelligence is malleable and flexible would affect their purpose of achievement (achievement goals). This might, in turn, influence their learning strategies. The present study examined the above relationships among 194 Grade 7 Chinese students in Hong Kong. Structural equation modeling…

A study investigated the learning strategies and perceptions of second language learning of 12 students of advanced English-as-a-Second-Language at National-Louis University (Illinois). All subjects were surveyed, and one (Sasha), an articulate and highly motivated Ukrainian student, was interviewed in depth as a case study. Subjects were…

This theme issue reviews and confirms the connection between thinking skills and art education. Articles offer possible teaching approaches and specific lesson plans dealing with thinking skills. The issue includes: (1) "Editor's View" (Sharon McCoubrey); (2) "Critical and Creative Thinking and Making Art" (Carol Fineberg); (3)…

The 18 papers in this proceedings describe strategies and practices used in undergraduate psychology courses at two- and four-year colleges. The following presentations are included: "The Costs and Benefits of Critical Thinking," (Randall E. Osborne, Judy Laws, Ken Weadick, and Vicki Mantooth); "What's a Developmentalist To Do?" (Judith Luis);…

Recognition of the importance of (special) children's learning of mathematics in an active fashion has increased rapidly since the beginning of the 1980s. This book presents current ideas and trends in the teaching of mathematics and aims at giving an overview of new developments in the field of (special) mathematics and showing how researchers…

To facilitate learning, teachers often employ varied teaching strategies and activities to accommodate different learning style preferences in students. This study explored elementary school students' preferences for learning environments, providing a pilot validation of the 40-question "If I Were in Charge of the Class" learning preference…

A media specialist and third-grade teachers developed a 2-week student-driven, resource-based inquiry unit that offers students a perspective about women's contributions to society, both historical and current. The unit uses the KWL model (what do you Know, what do you Want to know, and what have you Learned), oral interviews, children's…

If rural communities are to remain viable, rural schools must seek ways to allow all students to learn, especially those "at risk" or with mild learning disabilities. Research has shown that many children with mild learning disabilities have faulty reading strategies and academic behaviors that interfere with reading comprehension and the solution…

Young adult literature (YAL) is an important and valuable tool for helping students learn and for motivating them to read. YAL also helps students gain insights into themselves and others. YAL (1) is written and marketed primarily for teenagers; (2) has main characters similar in age (12-25) to its readership; (3) has relatively uncomplicated plot…

The skills and approaches to study were investigated for 549 students from Hong Kong/Macau enrolled in undergraduate distance learning courses with the East Asian Open Institute. The sample included students at all stages in their studies, from those in their first year to graduates with an ordinary degree and honors graduates. Correlations…

This paper addresses the characteristics, achievements, attitudes, and needs of college students with learning disabilities (LD). The most definitive and frequent description of LD is that there is a significant discrepancy between measured intelligence and academic achievement. College students with LD often possess high degrees of motivation and…