Lamon, M., Chan, C.,Scardamalia, M., Burtis, P.J., & Brett, C. (1993, April). Beliefs about learning and constructive processes in reading: Effects of a computer supported intentional learning environment (CSILE). Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Atlanta. Beliefs about learning and constructive processes in reading: Effects of a computer supported intentional learning environment. Centre for Applied Cognitive Science Ontario Institute for Studies in Education 252 Bloor St. W., Toronto, Canada M5S 1V6 Contents • Abstract • Theoretical Framework • Method • Results • Discussion • References Appendices • IMPLICIT LEARNING THEORIES QUESTIONNAIRE • Rating Criteria and examples for Problem Solving Abstract Substantial evidence has accumulated showing that students' beliefs about learning are related to their academic achievement. CSILE (computer supported intentional learning environments) is intended to support an interplay of private and public reflection through its communal student generated database and commenting functions. The hypothesis for this study was that if collaborative knowledge building in CSILE changes the goal of school from a task orientation to a learning orientation it would also change children's approach to learning to a deeper active one. Elementary students in CSILE and non-CSILE classes were asked about their beliefs about school learning and were given a reading comprehension task. Results showed that from fall to spring CSILE students' conceptions of learning became more mastery oriented and they improved more in both problem solving and recall of central concepts. Theoretical Framework Substantial evidence has accumulated showing that students' beliefs about learning are