Presents methods to stimulate students to use their background knowledge in reading content area texts. Offers a technique to teach students common text structures by having them write to a model. (FL)

Mobilizing relevant preexisting knowledge significantly facilitated retention of information inconsistent with prior knowledge but did not affect retention of congruous information. A topically organized passage was not better remembered than a topically disorganized one. (Author/PN)

Higher education is seen as an investment in human capital that generates benefits to individuals and to society. Assessment of prior learning constitutes a sound individual and public investment because it lowers costs and adds value to experience. (MLW)

Results of a case study (one graduate physics tutor) demonstrate that a person's conceptions, which include metaphysical commitments, play a significant role in the way s/he understands complex subject matter such as Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity. (Author/SK)

The School of Education at the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee has refined its method of granting college credit for community experience. Prior Professional Educational Experience (PPEE) credits are granted for knowledge in competency areas offered by the department. The program has given students a sense of accomplishment about learning…

The historic sources of graduate study in the United States, specifically the German influence, are examined, and the relationship of current experiential learning to past traditions of graduate study is discussed. Greater flexibility in the use of experience in graduate instruction and research is suggested. (MLW)

Four experiments were conducted to determine the source of difficulty of Wason's THOG problem. The THOG problem permits examination of the way people tackle a novel hypothetico-deductive problem. The results are interpreted as demonstrating the importance of problem presentation in problem solving. (Author/PN)

A study determined that simulation-gaming was a more effective teaching technique for students with low prior knowledge of economics, low Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores, and no high school economics instruction. Lecture-discussion was more effective for those with high precourse economic knowledge, SAT scores, and high school economics…

Reports on a study that was designed to determine the differential holes that three variables--accessing word meaning, integrating prior knowledge, and using text structure to organize ideas--play, not only in comprehension, but also in metacomprehension. (HOD)

Accrediting agencies can assume a leadership role in the recognition of prior learning experiences by endorsing the concept, assuring that good practices are followed, providing for the orientation and training of accrediting teams, and encouraging institutional review of policies and procedures. A statement endorsed by three national associations…

The composite-portfolio approach, combining all major systems of assessing prior learning of adults for degree credits, is described as exemplified by methods of Empire State College of the State University of New York. Illustrations include evaluation statements, outline of an actual degree program, and an evaluation policy statement. (MSC)

A prereading strategy designed to predict events and provide practice in answering questions requiring inferences between text and prior knowledge were used with elementary school students. The performance of experimental groups surpassed that of the control groups on some measures while results were mixed on other measures. (MKM)

Presents findings on student myth belief and stereotyped opinion levels in the area of alcohol use from a study in two Massachusetts communities. Implications for awareness education are drawn from analysis of data on the effect of prior knowledge on students' opinions, which did not show stereotyped beliefs. (MF)

Examined the factual accuracy of youngsters' knowledge about older people and the moderating effect on knowledge level resulting from differences in age/education, sex, racial origin, and experience living in a household with an older person. Findings revealed a negative bias toward older people by all three age/educational level groups. (Author)

The change in literature students from those with a strong literature background to those of the "Me" generation who have little exposure to critical reading is explored. Their subjective experiences applied to literature study can be more beneficial than traditional critical theories. (HTH)