The understanding of instructions and the role of diagrams were explored in the context of cognitive load theory in 3 experiments involving 102 Australian fifth and sixth graders. Results suggest that understanding depends on interaction between elements of the information, and that diagrams can reduce cognitive load and enhance understanding.…

In 3 experiments, 163 college students who read a summary with a sequence of short captions with simple illustrations depicting steps in a process recalled the steps and solved transfer problems as well as or better than students who received the full text with a summary or alone. (SLD)

How certain ability-related academic self-perceptions are organized in the self-systems of fifth graders was studied with 190 children who completed questionnaires. Confirmatory factor analysis indicates that children differentiate their ability-related perceptions in ways that current models of academic self-perceptions cannot account for fully.…

Associations among children's beliefs about intelligence and effort, goal orientations, self-reported learning strategies, and academic achievement were studied with 319 children in grades 3 through 6. Results revealed a coherent set of beliefs about intelligence and academic performance, and that beliefs are powerful predictors of achievement…

Individual growth curves were used to test whether the development of children with reading disabilities is best characterized by models of developmental lag or developmental deficit. Results with 403 children suggest that the developmental course of reading disabilities is best characterized by deficit models. (SLD)

Low-achieving second graders experienced a year of transactional strategies instruction (n=30) or highly regarded, more conventional second-grade reading instruction (n=30). The group receiving transactional strategies instruction had greater strategy awareness and use, greater acquisition of material read, and superior performance on standardized…

The effects on the learning process of the strategies of contextualization, personalization, and provision of choices for enhancing students intrinsic motivation were studied with 72 fourth and fifth graders in one control and four experimental conditions. All three strategies produced increases in student motivation and in engagement in learning.…

Examines the gender differences of U.S. college students, ages 18-22 years old, who took the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and the American College Test (ACT). States that the data was obtained from the Baccalaureate and Beyond 1993-94 study. Finds that males scored higher on the SAT and ACT. (CMK)

Presents the results of three experiments in which high school students constructed their own analogous problems. Focuses on utilizing instructional strategies to encourage analogous transfer using word problems in basic probability. Discusses the skills the students who used the analogical strategy could perform. Includes references. (CMK)

Presents the results of two studies that focused on children's self-concepts as related to drawing. Explains that the first study addresses the influence of group belonging and individuality, while the second study implemented interventions to change the children's self-concepts. Includes references. (CMK)

Investigates bullying behavior in 8-12 year old children in Athens (Greece), using a self-report bullying inventory. Reports that 14.7 percent of children reported being victims of bullying, 6.25 percent stated that they were bullies, while 4.8 percent saw themselves as both. States that boys were usually in the latter categories. (CMK)

Presents a study that compared teachers' predictions of their students' reading achievement to the 6-8 year old students' reading accuracy and comprehension scores. Reports that predictions were moderately correlated with accuracy and comprehension, but most of the judgments were incorrect. (CMK)

Presents the results from a study focusing on teacher involvement and factors influencing that involvement. Based on a two-year improvement project in two Norwegian schools (one primary and one secondary school) during 1996-1998. Suggests that teacher involvement varied. Includes references and appendix. (CMK)

Investigates the effect of test familiarization, practice, and coaching upon the test performance of 10- to 11-year-old British school children. Explains there were two conditions: (1) children had three hours of coaching before test taking; and (2) children received coaching after taking three tests. Includes references. (CMK)

Presents a study focusing on the effect of a self-management intervention. Included self-recording and goal setting for the behavior of eight-year-old boys attending a large suburban primary school. Suggests that the intervention was socially valid and cost effective. Includes references. (CMK)