Students learn important concepts and ways of thinking by building on their own actions and experiences. In much of higher education, the primacy of textbooks and the lectures that accompany them are inconsistent with the nature of student learning. Some students manage to learn despite the problems from this emphasis, but educators can do much…

The review demonstrates that studies of the role of instructional sequencing provide an important test of the assimilation-to-schema theory, and that many apparent inconsistencies in the literature may be better understood by an analysis of the internal assimilation process. (Author)

Dominant theories of implicit learning assume that implicit learning merely involves the learning of chunks of adjacent elements in a sequence. In the experiments presented here, participants implicitly learned a nonlocal rule, thus suggesting that implicit learning can go beyond the learning of chunks. Participants were exposed to a set of…

Four experiments investigate the differences between implicit and explicit sequence learning concerning their resilience to structural and superficial task changes. A superficial change that embedded the SRT task in the context of a selection task, while maintaining the sequence, did selectively hinder the expression of implicit learning. In…

An experiment on sequence procedures for presenting text materials to pupils demonstrated that web sequencing (presenting concepts as related parts of a network) resulted in better test performance than linear sequencing. Information processing strategies used by pupils did not influence either the sequence of information presentation or test…

In experiments on individual differences in learning, knowledge prerequisites and learning strategies have been shown to be important factors. The author questions whether learning optimization should rely on direct measures from outside the learner or should elucidate and strengthen the individual's capacity for learning decisions. He proposes to…

In the preparation of 12-inch disc teaching machine materials for elementary college courses, a preliminary analysis of subject matter and required skills precedes sequential framing. The programer must assess the beginning level of student competence and frame questions to supply new material until the proper response stands alone. Statements for…

Although previous research has indicated no significant relationship between sequencing of programed instructional materials and terminal achievement, it is felt that certain conditions might produce such a relationship. In order to test this idea, a hierarchy of word meanings was constructed, in which each definition was dependent on the previous…

A Piagetan task (transfer task) and a complex science task (final task) were used to compare the maturational view of Piaget with that of cumulative learning with respect to solving a science problem. A learning hierarchy of subordinate capabilities was constructed for the complex science task. Three phases of the experiment were: (1) pretest on…

Discusses the importance of internal integration of materials in learning. Cautions that instructional methods based on dividing material into small component bits impedes integration. Also lists principles of teaching which facilitate children's learning. (DP)

Responds to Ellis (1996), who claims that much of first- and second-language acquisition is sequence learning and can be explained in terms of connectionist theory. This article does not disagree with the substance of Ellis's article but rather the extent to which his model can be applied to many aspects of natural languages. (six references) (CK)

Examined implicit learning ability in 6- and 10-year olds and adults as assessed by a serial reaction-time task, along with retention of knowledge after one week and explicit knowledge developed by children. Found no age-related difference in serial reaction-time performance, consistent with the idea that implicit learning abilities may be…

In a question and answer advisory, the author gives advice to a preschool teacher working with a child who is having difficulties with sequencing, or the ability to put together a purposeful pattern of action, behavior, ideas, or thoughts. The author advises that through careful observation and appropriate learning opportunities, the children's…

A strategy for investigating which individual difference variables have transfer value at various stages of acquiring effective reading skills was discussed. Definitions of basic human abilities, including intrinsic and extrinsic individual differences were reviewed. In examining the required subskills in the reading process, it was pointed out…