The effect of illustrations in arithmetic problem-solving: Effects of increased cognitive load

Arithmetic word problems are often presented accompanied by illustrations. The present study examined how different types of illustrations influence the speed and accuracy of performance of both good (n = 67) and poor arithmeticians (n = 63). Twenty-four arithmetic word problems were presented with four types of illustrations with increasing information value. The results show that illustrations can have a detrimental effect on performance on arithmetic word problems, produced by irrelevant, redundant or interacting sources of information. Principles from cognitive load theory are used to explain the results, in particular in relation to (poor) working memory ability.     

A High-School Science Teacher Views Industry-Education Cooperation

Teachers actively engaged in the classroom do not agree that today's science education is a failure. Schools are expressions of our culture, and their deficiencies have much deeper roots than most current analyses recognize. Fundamental rather than superficial remedies are indicated. Industry, in its approach to education must recognize the central importance of the teacher himself as an expert in the job to be done, and try to adjust its efforts to the special conditions of the classroom. Certain of the steps now being taken by industry in the field of secondary education are noted, and suggestions for their improvement are offered. It is necessary to put intellectual interests in a favorable competitive position with respect to more glamorous teen-age activities, and a possible action in this direction is suggested. Improvement of the economic and social status of the teaching profession would be the single most powerful development in bringing about better secondary education.     

Evolution of an end-user training program

The University of Illinois at Chicago Library of the Health Sciences has taught end-user classes on the MEDLARS system since early 1985. Registration, class composition, and, most importantly, class organization evolved continuously during the first year of operation. Several feedback mechanisms were used. An examination of the past training and specialization of participants helped to determine teaching examples and pace; a more varied group of participants necessitated a broader range of examples and increased explanations. Participant evaluation forms and oral comments helped define scheduling, agenda, and the need for additional equipment and practice time. Further evaluation will center on the searching done by the program's alumni.     

An introduction to independent learning skills for incoming medical students

A partnership was initiated between educators of the College of Medicine and the McGoogan Library at the University of Nebraska Medical Center to establish a new educational component for incoming medical students. The objective was to encourage the development of the students' independent information seeking skills. A three-day seminar was introduced in which the process of seeking information was emphasized rather than the final product. Cooperative development of the seminar resulted in a fresh approach to educating medical students at the College of Medicine and the emergence of an ongoing instructional link between the library faculty and educators in the College of Medicine.     

How “open” is open learning?

Many of the models and paradigms that underlie open learning are based on inappropriate mechanistic, closed-system models-to name two, Instructional Systems Design (ISD) and behaviorism. This paper explores the roots of the open learning systems approach to education and examines the relationship between the goals of this approach and the models and methodologies that have followed its implementation. These models are then analyzed within the context of the theory of open and closed systems and a number of incongruities noted. An open systems orientation toward the development of learning systems is suggested and recommendations are made for its implementation.