Instructional expert featured in lectures Nov. 16-18 at UNL

Li-fang Zhang, the world's leading authority on intellectual styles, will deliver a series of presentations on learning, instruction and effective scholarship Nov. 16-18 during a visit to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Education and Human Sciences.

Zhang is associate dean and associate professor of education at the University of Hong Kong. She has authored more than 100 articles, chapters and books on intellectual styles, or preferred ways of learning, thinking and teaching.

In Zhang's book, "The Nature of Intellectual Styles" (2006, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, co-authored by Robert J. Sternberg) she writes that intellectual styles help people understand and organize the world.

"When one learns in a way that mismatches the way an instructor teachers, the result may be poor performance in a course, even if one has the ability to succeed," she writes.

Zhang will give the following presentations:

* Nov. 16: "The Nature of Intellectual Styles: Research Challenges, Milestones and Agendas," 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in Buros Library (Teachers College Hall, 14th and Vine streets, Room 23).

* Nov. 17: "Intellectual Styles in Education: Recommendations for Learning and Instruction," 3-4 p.m. in Jorgensen Hall, Room 100, north of 16th and Vine streets.

* Nov. 18: "Advice for Becoming a Productive Scholar: Research Evidence and My Own Two Cents," 3:30-4:30 in Teachers College Hall, Room 112.

The presentations are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Ken Kiewra, professor of educational psychology, (402) 472-3233 or by e-mail.

WRITER: Steve Smith, University Communications, (402) 472-4226