Learning Strategies

92 Pages·2011·4.66 MB·English

DOCUMENT RESUME
ED 103 403 SP 009 010
Dansereau, Donald F.; And Others
AUTHOP
Learning Strategies: A Review and Synthesis of the
TITLE
Current Literature.
Texas Christian Univ., Fort Worth. Inst. for the
INSTITUTION
Study of Cognitive Systems.
Air Force Human Resources Lab., Brooks AFB, Texas.
SPONS AGENCY
APHRL-TR-74-70
REPORT NO
Dec 74
PUB DATE
NOTE
92p.
HC-$4.43 PLUS POSTAGE
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Academic Aptitude; Cognitive Ability; Comprehension;
DESCRIPTORS
Creativity; *Educational Research; *Individual
Differences; *Learning Processes; Memory;
*Psychological Studies
ABSTRACT
This report reviews and synthesizes psychological and
educational research on learning strategies. The report contains an
overview of strategy modification; a review of factors influencing
strategy selection and use (including intellectual aptitude,
personality variables, cognitive style, reception preference,
motivation, sex, and prior knowledge); a review of learning
strategies (general, comprehension, memory, problem solving, and
creativity); and recommendations involving future research. This
report develops and uses a conceptual framework providing coherence
to the variety of studies which relate to research on learning
strategies. The intent of this study is to provide a basis for
developing specific research plans to improve students' learning
strategies and skills. (Authors)
BEST COPY AVAILABLE
AFHRLTR.74-70
AIR FORCE lo
LEARNING STRATEGIES:
A REVIEW AND SYNTHESIS
OF THE CURRENT LITERATURE
H
SCOPE OF INTEREST NOTICE
U
The ERIC Fatally has autaned
this document to
to.
M
In out Judgement, this document
nano of tnterest to the cleating-
houses noted to the nglit,
mg should tolled their tpectal
By
points of view.
A
Donald F. Dansereau
Tomme R. Actkinson
Gary L. Long
N
Barbara McDonald
Institute for the Study of Cognitive Systems
Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, Tom 76109
R
TECHNICAL TRAINING DIVISION
Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado 80230
E
S
December 1974
0
Approved for public release; distribution unlimited.
U
U S 0...ARTMENTOF NEALTN,
R
EDUCATION &WELFARE
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF
EDUCATION
THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN REPRO
bucto EXACTLY AS RECEIVED FROM
THE PERSON OR ORGcNi2ATION ORIGIN
C
ATINO IT POINTS OF VIEW OR OPINIONS
STATED DO NOT NECESSnit,Ly REPRE
SENT Of riCIAL NATIONAL INSTITUTE
OF
EDUCATION POSITION OR POLICY
E
LABORATORY
S
AIR FORCE SYSTEMS COMMAND
BROOKS AIR FORCE BASE,TEXAS 78235
4
NOTICE
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other
definitely
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manufacture, use, or sell any patented inveltion that may in any way
be related thereto.
This interim report was submitted by the Institute for the Study of
Cognitive Systems, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas
76109,
contract
under
project
F41609.74-C-0013,
with
1121,
Technical Training DivisiOt, Air Force Human Resources Laboratory
(AFSC), Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado 80230. Dr. Gerard Deignan
and Dr. Ronald Spangenberg, Instructional Technology Branch, shared
the contract illanitorship.
This report has been reviewed and cleared for open publication and/or
public release by the appropriate Office of Information (01) in
accordance with AFR 190.17 and DoDD 5230.9. There is
no objection
to unlimited distribution of this report to the public at large, or by
DDC to the National Technical Information Service (NTIS).
This technical report has been reviewed and is approved.
MARTY R, ROCK
Technical Dircoor
Technical Training Division
Approved for publication.
HAROLD F FISCHER, Colonel, USAF
Commander
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TITLE rand
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Learning Strategies. A Review and Synthesis of the Current Literature lierim
PERFORMiihG ORG. REPORT NUMBER
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B. CANTRACT OR GRANT NUMBER(x)
Aul),01913.)
210
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(iary L Long
Donald F. Dansereau
F 4160 9-74-C-001 3
Tonne R. Aetkmson
Barbara McDonald
io
PROGRAM ELEMENT, PROJECT, TASK
PER;:OAMING ORGANIZATION NAME *ND ADDRESS
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Instatite for the Study of Cognitive Systems
Texas Christian l'niversny
1 l21-01-19
Fort Wor'-. Texas 76109
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Deeelilber 1974
Ilti
Air Force liuman Rtiurees Laboratory (AIS()
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Base, Texas 7X
Brooks Air
Force
92
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15, SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
This
an interim report resulting from a follow-on contract. Findings under the original contract are documented in
IS
and AFHRL-TR-71-3)(1l) (contract
AFHRL-TR-73-5 l(i)
F4l609-73-C-0023).
l necessary and rdentiiy by block number)
XEY WORDS ?Conti» e on reverse *Ida
19
cognitive style
creativity
learning strategies
reception preferences
m formation processing (human)
comprehension strategies
individual differences
memory strategies
technical training
problem solving
personality variables
ABSTRACT ?Continue on reverse aide if necessary and identify by block number)
This report reviews and synthesizes psychological and educational research on learning strategies. The report
an overview of strategy modification; a review of factors influencing strategy selection and use (including
contains
aptitude, personality variables, cognitive
style,. reception preference. motivation, sex, and prior
intelle.ctual
knowledge): a review of learning strategies (general, comprehension, mercury, problem solving, and creativity); and
recommendations involving future research. The report develops and uses a conceptual framework providing
coherence to the variety of studies which relate to research on learning strategies. The intent of this study is to
provide a basis for developing specific research plans to improve students' learning strategies and skills.
EDITION OF 1 NOY 65 IS OBSOLETE
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1473
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IAN 73
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bale Enfood)
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Summary
ProbIom
and use
The ;:ay students of equal ability select
has been
:.iffeting information processing strategics
difforonces.
corrolated with consistent performance
critical
Information processing strategies may be more
Thus, training in how
than natural ability for learning.
and strategies
to select and use more efficient techniques
outputting
for selecting, storing, manipulating, and
Identifyi:.;
-nformation should help performance in learning.
which
and validating information processing strategies
in technical training
can be used by Air Force students
learning
should enable improved levels of student
performance and transfer of training to the job.
Aot)roach
4, I.
A literature review covering learning strategies
which involve information selection, storage, manipu-
This review examined
lation and outputting was conducted.
factors which research has suggested may influence
Learning strategies were
strategy selection and use.
Recommendations based on the
reviewed and analyzed.
literature review were provided.
Results
A report reviewing and synthesizing psychological and
educational research on learning strategies is presented
improving student's
as a basis for developing research for
The report contains:
learning strategies and skills.
review of factors
an overview of strategy modification, a
influencing strategy selection and use (including
intellectual aptitude, personality variables, cognitive
style, receptionjpreference, motivation, sex, and prior
knowlodge), a rekiew of learning strategies (general,
comprehension, memory, problem solving and creativity),
This
and recommendations involving future research.
report: develops and uses a conceptual framework providing
coherence to the variety of studies which relate to
research concerning learning strategies.
Conclusions
The review of the literature provides a quick insight
into the state-of-the-art concerning learning strategies.
It will be most beneficial in developing research for
testing selected information processing strategies for
technical training.
use by students in Air Force
PREFACE
This report documents a survey of the literature
pertaining to learning strategies.
Research was accom-
plished under Project 1121, Advanced Tecl.nology for
Air Force Technical Training.
Dr. Marty R. Rockway
was the Project Scientist, Dr. Gerard Deignan
was the
Task Scientist until 1 June 1974, and Dr. Ronald
Spangenberg was the Task Scientist from 1 June 1974
to the present.
Research contained in this report was conducted
under the provisions of Contract Number F41609-74-C-0013
with Texas Christian Vniversity, Institute for the Study
of Cognitive Systems, Fort Worth, Texas, 76129.
Dr.
Donala Dansereau was the Principle Investigator.
This
research is based upon previous work performed by the
contractor under Contract Number F41609-73-C-0023 which
resulted in the publication of AFHRL-TR-73-51(I), Factors
Related to Developing Instructional Information Sequences:
Phase
and APHRL-TR-51(II), Factors Relating to the
Development of Optimal Instructional Information Sequences.
Table of Contents
Page Number
A Review and Synthesis
Learning Strategies:
of the Current Literature
Summary
2
Preface
3
Table of Contents
5
Introduction
Manipulation of the Educational Environment
7
Versus Manipulation of the Student
An Overview of
Manipulation of the Student:
10
Strategy Modification
Factors Influencing Strategy Selection and
12
Utilization
Intellectual Aptitude and the Availability
12
of Strategy Skills
16
Personality Variables
17
Cognitive Style
22
Reception Preferences
26
Motivation, Sex, and Prior Knowledge
27
General
Learning Strategies:
27
Survey of Study Strategies and Behaviors
32
Specific
Learning Strategies:
32
Comprehension Strategies
3a
Memory Strategies
49
Problem Solving and Creativity
61
Conclusions, and New Directions
65
References
BEST COY AMIABLE
A REVIEW AND SYNTHESIS
LEARNING STRATEGIES:
OF THE CURRENT LITERATURE
Introduction
Most educators and researchers in the area of
education agree that we need to improve instructional
effectiveness, especially the transferability of
classroom knowledge and skills to the job situation.
The Air Force and other governmental agencies have
been instrumental in stimulating research to provide
In the main,
a basis for educational improvements.
these studies and subsequent attempts at implementation
have been directed toward the improvement of teaching.
this research has been designed to ferret out
That is
that will
ways of presenting information to students
optimize their performance on a variety of criterion
The advent of computer assisted and computer
measures.
provided the flexibility
managed instruction he
teaching
necessary to tailor these empirically derived
methods to individuals, thus dramatically improving
the chances for successful implementation.
The extensive efforts directed at improving
teaghing methods, have overshadowed the few scattered
attempts at developing a basis for improving students'
As we will argue,
strategies and skills.
learnin
side of the
e relative neglect of the learning
t.
educational coin is probably totally unwarranted and
Teaching
should be remedied as quickly as possible.
and learning strategies need to be developed in
concert, consequently, due to previous emphasis on methods,
research on learning strategies needs to be brought
The present review and synthesis of
"up to speed."
psychological and educational research on potentially
relevant strategies is a small step in this direction.
Because most of the work on strategies is recent,
the bulk of the literature covered in this, review was
published during the period from 1967 to the predent.
This research is extremely diverse in its conception,
5
and much of it is at such
a basic level that it will
be necessary to extend and expand
it prior to educa-
tional implementation.
One of the major contributions
of this review and synthesis is the
development of a
conceptual framework within which these diverse
studies can be placed.
This framework appears to add
a coherence to the literature that has been previously
missing.
The following major topics will be
covered
in this report:
Manipulation of the Educational
Environment
Versus Manipulation of the Student.
Manipulation of the Student:
An Overview of
Strategy Modification
Factors Influencing Strategy Selection
and
Utilization
Intellectual Aptitude and the Availability
of Strategy Skills
Personality Variables
Cognitive Style
Reception Preferences
Motivation, Sex, and Prior Knowledge
Learning Strategies:
General
Learning Strategies:
Specific
Comprehension Strategies
Memory Strategies
Problem Solving and Creativity
6