Teaching and learning research typically focuses on learning outcomes relating to the acquisition of knowledge. In this article, we shift focus to a different outcome: student commitment to, and thus successful completion of, a course. By examining the relationship between instructor pedagogical choices and rates of student retention--as measured…

Despite the popular belief that fun has a positive impact in learning contexts, empirical research on fun in the classroom has been limited. To extend research in this area, the goal of this study was to develop and validate a new scale to assess fun in the classroom and examine its relationship with student engagement. The multi-stage scale…

This study investigates Chinese and U.S. teachers' cultural beliefs concerning effective mathematics teaching from the teachers' perspectives. Although sharing some common beliefs, the two groups of teachers think differently about both mathematics understanding and the features of effective teaching. The sample of U.S. teachers put more emphasis…

This paper presents detailed classroom management strategies for teachers working in middle- and secondary-level classrooms. The strategies include: (1) plan lessons that are well organized and fully developed, showing all the components of the teaching-learning cycle using a variety of strategies and activities that reflect multiple learning…

Pupil discomfort in sex education lessons is high, often manifesting itself in reluctance to participate constructively. Low levels of participation are problematic, jeopardizing effective learning. Teacher interview and lesson observation data, collected in 25 schools in the East of Scotland, reveal that there is much variation between classes…

These proceedings, consisting of unit outlines, presentation summaries, handouts, overhead masters, and sample forms, were designed to provide nursing home inservice instructor coordinators with the materials that were presented at a two-day workshop dealing with the principles of adult education and their application in nursing homes. Addressed…

This document presents the proceedings of an annual educational research forum held at Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, North Carolina) on December 10, 2003. A table of contents and 31 research studies of high school teaching are included. The following studies are included: (1) No, Seriously: Humor Use by High School Social Studies Teachers…