The concept of metacognition is discussed, with a review of attempts at definition. A. Brown's (1987) four historical roots of metacognition--verbal reports as data, executive control, self-regulation, and other-regulation--are summarized. Influence from the developmental theory of L. S. Vygotsky (1978) may result in a clearer conceptualization of…

Two chapters of this issue consider critical multiplism as a research strategy with links to meta analysis and generalizability theory. The unifying perspective it can provide for quantitative and qualitative evaluation is discussed. The third chapter explores meta analysis as a way to improve causal inferences in nonexperimental data. (SLD)

Numerous methods for school reform have been promoted in the United States. Some lessons about school restructuring, reform, and improvement are offered in this report. The text examines four current educational reforms: Henry Levin's Accelerated Schools Project, Theodore R. Sizer's Coalition of Essential Schools, James Comer's School Development…

A collection of conferences papers examines social studies as an intellectual discipline and focuses on the idea of a social studies discipline. The papers presented are: "A Discipline of Social Studies" (Ronald Evans); "Discipline, Knowledge, and Social Education" (Jack Nelson); "Reflections on a Discipline of the Social Studies" (Wilma…

This newsletter presents a critical view of some of the perils of translating research findings into classroom practice without careful examination of the human dimensions involved. The first issue discussed is ability grouping; it is pointed out that this practice does not necessarily increase academic achievement, particularly in the lower level…

Understanding the literacy process and using the child as the informant will ensure a better learning experience. Two fundamental assumptions of language learning provide a base for understanding the literacy process. Firstly, the decisions a child makes while searching for meaning in a literacy event are the same ones made by an adult, involving…

This bulletin is devoted to clarifying central issues in the self-esteem debate, with a view to pointing out implications for practice. The relevance of self-esteem to academic achievement is particularly emphasized. The first chapter reviews different meanings that self-esteem has acquired in the context of different theories. Chapter 2…

This paper reviews the book "Sociology of Education" (Browne and Foster, editors). The paper begins with the observation that the study of the sociology of education is an important part of teacher training, but is often forgotten after graduation in the first year of classroom experience. Problems which impede the incorporation of educational…

This monograph is the fourth in a series of semiannual reports of research related to reading in secondary schools. The five papers in the monograph are concerned with the pedagogical and research implications of reading comprehension. Specific topics dealt with include (1) a phenomenological perspective on the reading process, (2) the role of…

This is one in a series of SMSG supplementary and enrichment pamphlets for high school students. This series is designed to make material for the study of topics of special interest to students readily accessible in classroom quantity. Topics covered include points, lines, space, planes, segments, separations, angles, one-to-one correspondence,…

This annual publication offers a collection of papers, essays, and speeches related to the history and philosophy of education. This volume contains: (1) "The Presidential Address: The Educational Revolution in Kentucky, or How To Build the Plane After You're Off the Ground" (Wayne Willis); (2) "The Seventh Annual William E. Drake Lecture: Was…

Six English articles and one French article define feminist pedagogy in Canada and point to what it might become. The articles deal primarily with postsecondary education and more particularly with women's studies, areas in which most debates about feminist pedagogy are occurring. Common themes are identified. (SLD)

A selection of papers on second language learning includes: "Second Language Acquisition Research in the Language Classroom" (David Nunan); "A Place for Second Language Acquisition in Teacher Development and in Teacher Education Programmes" (Rod Bolitho); "Dimensions in the Acquisition of Oral Language" (Martin Bygate, Don Porter); "The Learner's…

This serial is intended as a forum for the presentation, in print, of the latest original research by the faculty and students of the Department of Linguistics and other related departments at the University of Kansas. Papers include the following: "Inferentials: The Story of a Forgotton Evidential" (Gerald Delahunty); "Knowledge of…

Using cognitive science as the knowledge base for the discussion, this paper reviews why many school learning situations are ineffective and introduces cognitive apprenticeship models that suggest what effective learning situations might look like. Five wrong assumptions about learning are examined: (1) people transfer learning from one situation…