Examines prior learning in physical geography of two cohorts of students on entry to a geography program in the United Kingdom. Identifies differences in comprehension of terminology and topic coverage based on secondary school curricula. Notes a dilemma for instructors of first-year courses trying to meet the varied backgrounds of their students.…

Lists eight principles that underlie the philosophy of flexible learning and discusses their implications for a university. Highlights include flexible access to courses, recognition of prior learning, flexible content, flexible participation, flexible teaching and learning methods, flexible resources, flexible assessment, and ongoing evaluation.…

This framework for learning development in higher education stresses three types of skills--threshold, key, and transferable--and a variety of forms for assessing prior (experiential) learning [AP(E)L]. The function of assessment is both to credit prior learning and diagnose individual learning needs. (SK)

Describes a study conducted in the Netherlands that examined the effect of a user's World Wide Web experience on the search process, which consists of locating an appropriate Web site and retrieving relevant information from that site. Discusses implications for training and supporting student searchers and proposes future research. (Author/LRW)

Argues that, for a misconception to be abandoned, the learner must come to see it as unsatisfactory. The new conception must be intelligible, plausible, and fruitful. Suggests that students should have an active cognitive involvement in the process. Contains 16 references. (DDR)

Argues that some common student misconceptions are perpetuated by teachers, textbooks, and rote-learning methods and that strategies to challenge and change these misconceptions are needed. Focuses on misconceptions related to the eye and how it works. (DDR)

Two experiments tested predictions of dual-route-cascaded and triangle frameworks regarding effect among first-graders of having a word in oral vocabulary prior to reading that same word. Results suggest that word-specific phonological information is represented in the reading system independently of semantic or articulatory influences. Results…

Examines changes in experience and confidence among university students in Iceland taking their first Internet course between 1994 and 2000. Discusses results of time series that show that the number of participants with prior experience has increased and makes recommendations for course content, including advanced skills in Internet use.…

This study, with 48 students (including 16 eighth graders with learning disabilities (LD), 16 age level peers, and 16 reading level peers), found that all groups, but especially LD students, benefited from experimenter activation of prior knowledge on reading comprehension tasks testing inferential reading ability. Experimenter activation of prior…

Reconsiders interpretive and theory versions of children's theory of mind. Shows that many college students provide interpretive explanations on theory of mind tasks and that young children rely on background experientially-based knowledge to interpret such tasks. Argues that a logical-causal theory of human action based on mental states is a…

Outlines research undertaken with first year primary preservice teachers at Goldsmiths College, University of London, UK. Studies the influence of preservice teachers' prior educational experience and beliefs about the nature of--and relationship between--science and technology upon their planning for classroom activities incorporating both areas…

Argues that the traditional paradigm used in teaching science and mathematics should be replaced by one which focuses on the students' own conceptions, prior experiences, and active participation in learning. (DDR)

Demonstrates how talking with children can provide an awareness of the "funds of knowledge" they bring to school. Examines the talk of a young girl from a culturally diverse background to gain insight into her cultural scientific knowledge; explores an adult's ability to collaborate with the student in pursuit of the topic; and offers…

Describes 8 activities the authors have used in their teacher education courses that help prospective teachers develop the self-reflection and self-analysis; build an effective value base for teaching; integrate their personal and practical knowledge into a coherent system of values that will serve them in their profession; and construct personal…

Investigates the benefits of using culturally responsive reading material and a computer-based learning environment in literacy instruction. Describes a study of low socioeconomic status first through fourth grade African American children that tested two computer programs that use prior knowledge as scaffolds for early literacy instruction.…