Discusses the use of simultaneous recitation as an instructional strategy in Baltimore's (Maryland) primary schools during the early part of the 19th century. Describes the classroom environment and attempts to use student monitors to make the simultaneous recitation approach more effective. (CFR)

Describes the efforts of an eighth grade English teacher to convince her students to value class activities such as story telling, creative writing, reading, drama, improvisation, and conversation rather than traditional rote learning activities. Relates actual conversations between the teacher and her students. (PRA)

Statistics is known to be a difficult subject, demanding students to perceive interrelations between numerous highly abstract concepts. Many students approach the subject with an evasive attitude, often resulting in rote learning yielding little conceptual understanding of statistics. Working from a constructivist paradigm, we aimed to stimulate…

Forty-one students in two third grade classes, including special education students, participated in an action research project conducted jointly by two university supervisors, three teachers, and three student teachers. The "Minute Math" project involved students in predicting and graphing their test scores on a weekly conventional timed test of…

A 2-week study was conducted to determine what effect the practice of cooperative learning had on the rote memorization of 51 prepositions in ninth-grade English classrooms. One class of 15 students acted as a control group, memorizing the prepositions independently, in a traditional setting. Another class of 15 students acted as the experimental…

Ninety-two subjects solved a series of problems without enough time to finish and worked at a pace and in an order determined by the experimenter (Experimenter- Paced) or at their own pace and order under self-administered time deadlines (Self-Paced). Self-pacing resulted in superior performance on rote and poorer performance on cognitive problems…

The Learning Activities Questionnaire (LAQ) was designed and developed to identify which of the following learning strategies were used by individuals in a variety of academic and training environments: rote (passive and active); physical; elaboration; and grouping. After undergoing two pilot tests, the final version of the LAQ was administered to…

This document outlines a method of identifying children in need of remedial instruction and gives a detailed description of how paraprofessional school personnel should carry out this remedial instruction. The identification of children needing remedial instruction is made by means of tests given in kindergarten or first grade. These tests…

The effectiveness of using workbooks to teach eighth-grade English grammar was measured in a study of 160 students in four north-central Texas junior high schools. The experimental group, which used the American Book Company workbook, "Our Language Today," was equated on the basis of sex, intelligence, and previous grades in English with the…

An explanation is sought for the striking apparent failure of the interactions of intelligence and memory factors with socioeconomic status predicted by Jensen's Level I/Level II theory, in a study by Stankov, Horn and Roy (EJ 239 630). It is suggested that Level I ability is a category of narrower abilities involving rote learning and primary…

Reports two studies comparing responses of Filipino and Nepalese students to learning process questionnaires to those for Australian and Hong Kong students. Presents evidence for a similar structure of learning processes in each culture. Concludes that little evidence supports the contention that Asian learners are more prone to rote learning than…

Although rote learning is a heretical notion to many educators, memorizing, reciting, and drilling may be what is needed to improve test scores and provide students with the necessary skills for solving problems and developing complex thinking skills. Sidebars summarize direct-teaching methods for mathematics and a Core Knowledge curriculum…

This paper responds to an article that criticizes S. A. Cohen's position on the application of instructional alignment to teaching test wiseness. The value and ethics of using certain types of norm-referenced tests are criticized, based on data for the Missouri Mastery Achievement Test. (TJH)

Supports Linda Darling-Hammond's contention that many adolescent difficulties are not intrinsic, but stem from mismatches between teens' developmental needs and experiences provided by most secondary schools. A depersonalized, punitive, rote-learning ambience cannot meet adolescents' needs for affiliation, autonomy, and cognitive challenges.…

A charter school in Kenai, Alaska, offers back-to-basics curriculum and direct instruction. The school has drawn many home-schoolers back to the public school system, and consistently scores high on standardized tests. The school's success is attributed to teachers' collaboration and common vision, continuity across grades, high academic…