In this research review of basic issues in learning disabilities, definitions, possible causes, prevalence, and identification of learning disabilities are discussed. Characteristics of learning disabled individuals are considered under five headings: perceptual and perceptual-motor disabilities, problems with attention and hyperactivity,…

Although the critical thinking movement is a significant trend in both philosophy and teaching, there are certain points of view within the movement which have the potential for undermining its success. One of these developments, conceptual scheme talk, is contradictory to any intelligible notion of critical thinking. Believers in this concept…

A case study was undertaken of an 11-year-old Israeli girl of above average intelligence but manifesting specific learning disabilities in mathematics and related areas. The Learning Potential Assessment Device (LPAD), a measure to identify cognitive deficiencies and strengths and suggest mediation or intervention procedures to alleviate or…

Recent research has provided a reasonably coherent picture of how children learn to add and subtract. There is clear evidence that children do not learn simply by mastering a procedure and storing in memory. Instead, learning is structured in meaningful ways, connected to previous knowledge, and adapted to new contexts. This view of learning has…

An internal cognitive variable--mental imagery representation--was studied using a set of three information-processing strategies under external stimulus visual display conditions for various learning levels. The copy strategy provided verbal and visual dual-coding and required formation of a vivid mental image. The relational strategy combined…

Information-processing students solving problems in the 1960s and 1970s accepted the tradition of early experimental psychology in concentrating primarily on the study of "knowledge-lean" tasks in which competence can usually be acquired over short periods of learning and experience. In recent years, experts have examined knowledge-rich…

A study investigating the learning strategies in oral communication used by Chinese students of English as a second language in China consisted of identification of the general strategies and specific techniques for improving oral proficiency, and assessment of the effects of some of them on achievement. It also explored some learner…

Data for this analysis of classroom instruction were part of the junior high phase of the Managing Academic Tasks (MAT) study (Doyle, Sanford, Clements, French & Emmer, 1983). The MAT focuses on the character of academic tasks, the nature of the overall task systems that operate in classrooms, and the contexts associated with task…

Part of a collection of papers commissioned by Foundations, a career development project sponsored by the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID), the paper reviews research on transfer of knowledge and skills from one situation to another. A transfer classification scheme is proposed based on the notion that an individual's knowledge can…

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of several instructional formats (e.g., lecture, discourse, seatwork) on the generalizability of teacher behaviors. Two structured observation instruments were used to observe two samples of teachers: 42 fifth grade science teachers on eight occasions, and 87 fifth grade mathematics teachers…

Guidelines are presented for modifying basic instruction of subtraction facts for elementary level learning disabled students. A detailed case study is used to illustrate a five-step structured program: (1) find a way to work it out; (2) add to check; (3) learn the partner facts; (4) study families of facts; (5) review and practice. The selection…

In research testing, guided motor learning yielded the best performance in terms of time efficiency in the initial task; transfer was most effective when learning conditions were similar for initial and transfer tasks; and guided learning in the initial and transfer tasks led to better retention of performance than discovery learning. (JD)

Examines self-control interventions considered effective in improving the performance of mentally retarded persons in acquiring, maintaining, and generalizing learned tasks. Studies employing self-monitoring, self-reinforcement, and antecedent cue regulation (self-instruction and picture cues) are cited. Picture cues are recommended as the most…

Seven learning disabled elementary students received metacognitive training in the strategic use of language information (summarizing, questioning, clarifying, predicting) using a reciprocal teaching procedure. Although results of reading achievement posttests were insignificant, subjects experienced greater gains in self-esteem than a control…

An examination of the role of process and content in social studies is offered. Concludes that both are equally important and that diverse process goals may be emphasized in guiding students to achieve viable facts, concepts, and generalizations. (JDH)