The characteristics of contemporary societies are increasingly theorized as global, fluid, and networked. These conditions underpin the emerging knowledge economy as it is shaped by the societal and technological forces of late capitalism. These shifts and developments have significantly affected the communicational landscape of the 21st century.…

Discusses the origin and elaboration of the concept of learning styles. Traces the influence of a cognition and learning-centered approach to the psychology of individual development. Argues for an integration of various models into a single learning style. Includes a tabular description of fundamental dimensions of cognitive style. (MJP)

Considers the theoretical validity of two approaches to cognitive style. Wholist-Analytic maintains that cognitive processes depend on the interaction of two opposing forces, destructive and constructive. Reflection-Impulsivity characterizes learners according to their reflective or impulsive responses to solution hypotheses. Evaluates these…

Criticizes the use of test-retest correlations, differences between means, and other group effects in studies attempting to evaluate the relative stability of learning styles. Examines the use of the "Learning Style Inventory" and the "Learning Style Questionnaire." Recommends that researchers directly analyze the stability and…

Describes the affective factors involved in the academic progress and achievement of newly-arrived bilingual twins in a secondary school in London. Finds that different personality traits and self-perceptions resulted in the development of their divergent personal learning styles, and that task interest, appropriate learning strategies, and…

Identifies metacognitive realism as the accurate assessment by a learner of their knowledge on a subject. Considers whether realism in metacognition is a stable trait, and possible influences. Briefly reviews the literature and experimental evidence and concludes that metacognitive realism is both style and strategy. (MJP)

Reviews the origins of the concept of cognitive style. Explores the fundamental applications of that style and relevant methods of assessment. Examines the distinction between style, which is likely to be relatively fixed, and strategies which are capable of being learned and developed. Discusses the relationship of style to learning preferences…

Summarizes the results of a study of 432 adult secondary students. The study examined the relationship between learning style, gender identity of the student, the subject taught, and the gender of the teacher. Multivariate techniques reveal gender identity to be the most significant factor in learning style differences. (MJP)

Describes an experiment where 15 adults received a computer presented "Cognitive Styles Analysis" to assess their positions on two cognitive style dimensions: Wholist-Analytic and Verbal-Imagery. The subjects then completed word association and identification tasks while their electroencephalograph readings were monitored. The readings…

Reports on a study that required student teachers training in business education to produce open learning materials on intercultural communication. Analysis of stages and responses to this assignment revealed a distinction between "deep" and "surface" learning. Includes charts delineating the characteristics of these two types…