Discusses the branching structure of hypermedia that can accommodate individual learning differences. Highlights include interactivity; self-learning skills; a conceptual framework; a model of self-regulated learning; prior knowledge; and future research directions. (Author/LRW)

Two studies examined age-related change in proactive interference from previously learned material. The meta-analysis of 26 studies indicated that proactive interference decreased with age. The cross-sectional study found that third through sixth graders' and college students' recall was accurate on Trial 1, but became less so over Trials 2…

Describes a brainstorming/conceptualization activity suitable for adult, secondary, and college levels which serves as a preliminary exercise to test students' prior knowledge and to activate a schema for deeper immersion into a text. Describes how students use the activities to construct a sentence which defines the purpose of their textbook. (RS)

The process of assessing prior experiential learning can be painful as adults analyze traumatic or embarrassing experiences, revisit disturbing problems, and find their confidence in past experiences shaken. (SK)

Focuses on subject matter influences in writing assessments and the extent to which English-as-a-Second-Language graduate students' writing performance is affected by their knowledge of the subject matter of the assessment topic. Writing performance was found to be superior when the subject matter was well known. (47 references) (GLR)

Examines the influence of pre-reading instruction versus prior experience on factual and inferential comprehension. Concludes that prior experience affects factual and inferential comprehension more than does pre-reading instruction, and that younger students need to have relevant knowledge externally activated, while older students can activate…

Examines the relative importance of vocabulary difficulty and prior knowledge on comprehension of narrative passages. Finds that knowledge-based preinstruction can significantly improve comprehension of a text dealing with an unfamiliar topic, but cannot compensate for difficult text vocabulary. (RS)

Investigates the differences between female and male students' retellings of a story read silently. Finds boys were more productive than girls since the main character of the story was perceived to be male. Suggests that students be allowed to self-select reading materials to maximize usefulness of previous knowledge. (RS)

Examines the effects of prior knowledge and oral reading accuracy on miscues and comprehension of third-grade average readers who read expository passages orally. Finds that children with high prior knowledge made fewer miscues which resulted in meaning loss, and that their miscues were graphically less similar to the text word. (MM)

Discusses how to design interactive video materials for adult learners. Highlights include capabilities of interactive video; characteristics of adult learners; allowing adults to set their own goals; establishing a need to know; linking new information to prior knowledge; and individual responsibility for learning.(LRW)

Thirty fifth-grade students participated in a study designed to describe the social interactions of ability-grouped dyads as they construct knowledge of balance concepts to elucidate the relationship between interactions and conceptual growth. Results revealed that high achieving students effectively used prior experiences and maintained focus on…

A study with 18 deaf high school students found that skills that actually contribute to reading proficiency included use of prior text information, prior knowledge, reading speed and consistency, use of active memory for function words and inflections, and correct processing of relative clauses and the passive voice. Instructional implications are…

First-language (L1) reading theories are examined from second- language (L2) perspectives to identify significant research voids related to L2 problems. Unique aspects of L2 reading are considered and three distinct areas are discussed: consequences of prior reading experience, effects of cross-linguistic processing, and compensatory devices for…

Discusses constructivist teaching, students' mathematical knowledge, activating prior knowledge, hypothetical learning trajectory, and reflection in teaching mathematics, all in reaction to Simon's model of constructivist pedagogy. (24 references) (MKR)

Explored the degree to which a sample of Tanzania science teachers were able to interpret the local production of alcohol in light of their conceptual knowledge of the science involved, designed experiments for investigating factors relating to the processes of fermentation and distillation, and considered alternatives for improving this…