The performance of two adults, one with moderate and one with severe mental retardation, in a community employment site was compared. Results indicated that both participants learned to perform the target tasks equally well though the individual with severe mental retardation required substantially more training. (DB)

Twenty-four children (ages 6-9) with mild mental retardation received individualized instruction with either emphasis on Piagetian concepts or emphasis on verbal and number concepts. Although both groups made significant gains over a year, the children receiving the Piagetian emphasis usually gained more and progressed at almost the rate of…

Computerized simulation of physical phenomena is a growing area of high-performance computing, providing a new approach to scientific discovery and offering creative, efficient, and effective alternatives to laboratory experiments for teaching graduate and undergraduate science. The technique is a very important scientific and instructional tool.…

A discussion of the use of hypertext for college instruction looks at the potential of hypertext to support active construction of knowledge and outlines hypertext applications as a vehicle for traditional computer-assisted instruction, information retrieval, and creation of intentional learning environments and knowledge construction…

A study used hypertext to analyze links between 45 learning/instructional theories, 18 concepts, and 17 learning domains in the Theory into Practice (TIP) database. Results suggest that there is less overlap in theories of learning and instruction than commonly assumed. Use of this kind of tool for research and practice is discussed. (MSE)

Analysis of a study of sex bias in undergraduate student project evaluations revealed evidence of bias that was overlooked by the researchers. Research methodology and interpretation are discussed further. (MSE)

The concept of quality in higher education is discussed, including ways of thinking about quality, its relevance to higher education, interrelationships, and philosophical/political bases. The relative nature of quality is examined, and five differing conceptualizations are identified: quality as exception, perfection, fitness for purpose, value…

In response to optometry student complaints about group scores as an inadequate reflection of individual effort, two different procedures for assessing individual contributions to a group learning project were investigated, one based on evaluations by students outside the group and one using student evaluations of their fellow group members'…

Includes 344 sources of information, some annotated, that deal with issues related to population education. The references are divided into four chapters: (1) general references; (2) scientific justifications and basic knowledge about population education; (3) population and family life education programs; and (4) associated educational programs.…

Introduces this new journal and highlights the six papers included in the first issue of the journal. (BB)

Presents (1) characteristics of the totalitarian educational system in Poland which influence the current educational situation; (2) expectations for institutions connected with early childhood education in the new democratic political and social situations in Poland; and (3) an image of early childhood settings as institutions supporting parent…

Explored children's perceptions of the family and family membership among four-, six-, and eight-year-old children in Germany. Findings indicated that children had a generalized and complex image of the family. Findings also revealed significant age differences related to some aspects of children's family concepts. (BB)

Reports the findings from a pilot study that investigated the effects of friendship on four and five year olds during their first term in school. Results suggested that friendship played an important part in developing children's social and communicative competencies and influenced children's performance in classroom-based learning activities. (BB)

Argues that the early childhood field should be renamed early childhood educare and that Vygotsky's sociocultural theory is a more appropriate theoretical framework for the field than Piaget's. Discusses the role of language, internalization of interpersonal processes, importance of intersubjectivity, and role of adult and peer tutors in…

Discusses provisions of early childhood teacher education in Australia. Focuses on aspects of the early childhood awards offered; the structure and main component of early childhood teacher education programs; national accreditation of long-day child care services; and teacher registration. (BB)