Another Look at Research on the Adaptation of Instruction to Students Characteristics

This article reviews some problems in aptitude treatment interaction (ATI) research, which is the knowledge base for adaptive instruction. Inconsistent ATI results were attributed to findings indicating that varying instructional methods do not necessarily invoke different types or frequencies of cognitive processing of instruction nor are individual difference measures consistently related to such processing. It is suggested that more consistent processing, and more replicable ATIs may be found by training students in the cognitive processes presumed to be invoked by instructional methods. Finally, it is suggested that the inclusion of affective variables in research on cognitive processing of instruction may lead to findings of more effective and consistent processing by students and to more reliable ATIs.