A research-in-progress report is presented on how students process second-language reading materials presented to them on the computer. The preliminary findings, based on log records generated by first- and second-semester Spanish students using "Recuerdos de Madrid" lessons, can help focus a research agenda for computer-assisted language learning…

Notes the omission of a historical perspective in the research papers in this special issue on prosocial and aggressive play. Maintains that the past several hundred years can be characterized as a time of domesticating children's play, and that more research on rough-and-tumble play is needed. (LB)

A three-round Delphi technique elicited responses from 18 vocational special needs personnel regarding research needs and priorities for the next 10 years. A high degree of consensus was achieved on 57 percent of 91 research statements. Critical issues identified were transition and at-risk students. (SK)

Describes a study of female elementary school library media specialists that investigated the effects of field dependence/independence on cooperation between library media specialists and classroom teachers. Perceived levels of cooperation in planning and teaching library media skills are discussed, and implications are suggested for both…

Experts (n=31) in the field of autism indicated past progress in the field, were optimistic in continued progress in identifying the biological underpinnings of autism, stressed the role of research, and identified and clarified fundamental concerns and issues of the field (e.g., community integration, outcome and program evaluation, and family…

Discusses audit trails (i.e., records of learner responses) in interactive multimedia and hypermedia instruction. Topics addressed include four purposes of audit trails, including formative evaluation in instructional design, basic research, usage studies, and counseling and advising; advantages and limitations of the audit trail approach; and…

Context-dependent item sets, containing a subset of test items related to a passage or stimulus, are discussed. A brief review of methods for developing item sets reveals their potential for measuring high-level thinking. Theories and technologies for scoring item sets remain largely experimental. Research needs are discussed. (SLD)

This article reviews 15 empirical studies in the area of academic skill improvement for students with behavior disorders being served in public school settings. The review addresses the nature of the samples, dependent variables, independent variables, and results. It concludes that the studies contain much useful information for practitioners and…

This third article of a series reviews recent metacognitive projects inspired by the theory of L. S. Vygotsky. These projects include research on (1) children's memory development; (2) the mother-child dyad; (3) the origin and function of adaptive inner speech; and (4) problem learners. (SLD)

Describes an instructional systems design model for use in a college physical education program that is based on Keller's Personalized System of Instruction (PSI). Implementation in an introductory volleyball course is described; and four defining characteristics are discussed, including self-pacing, mastery-based learning, teacher as motivator,…

Discusses a study of the musical instrument preferences of third grade children. Reports that students' choice of instruments was influenced by the manner in which the instruments were presented to them. Finds that preference varied with gender. Suggests areas for future research. (SG)

Introduces a series of articles on philanthropy and the nature of education, suggesting that serious study of philanthropy in education is nowhere near sufficient as a result of insufficient theory and suspiciousness characterizing attitudes and relationships between philanthropists/foundation administrators and outside scholars and investigators.…

Discusses the application of theories of cognitive modeling to information systems design and describes research that investigated the validity of the repertory grid for incorporation into intelligent front-end interfaces for information storage and retrieval systems. Personal construct theory is discussed and future research is suggested. (67…

Describes a study that was conducted to investigate the relationship between direction-following behavior and computer self-efficacy, participation in military training programs, and gender. Measurement instruments are described, implications of the results for instructional design are discussed, and recommendations for further research are…

Discusses the possibilities for improving courseware and the courseware engineering process using visualization. Advantages and disadvantages of visualization are considered, including psychological, instructional, motivational, cross-cultural, and technical aspects; visual programming systems are described; adaptation and rapid prototyping are…