A detailed study of the nature of educators' education-related attitudes is presented. Results suggest that Kerlinger's theoretical principle that social attitudes are dualistic may need to be qualified when the attitudes studied involve the vital roles of subjects. (Author/GK)

Eighty-four undergraduate students were randomly placed into one of three treatment groups to test the effects of high, medium, and low teacher clarity (vagueness terms and mazes) on student achievement and student perception. Results indicate that clarity significantly effects achievement and perception with the medium clarity groups displaying…

This paper presents a method which can be used to obtain evidence that the concepts rated on semantic differential scales are appropriate for given study. An analysis of six semantic differential concepts, as perceived by 168 graduate education students, is presented; variations of the method are discussed. (Author/GSK)

The conceptualization of teacher role has led to the six-factor Role Dimension Profile Scale. When responses to the scale used with a Likert data collection format are analyzed, the resulting single dimension is interpreted as the teacher's "professional horizon." Implications of these results are discussed. (Author/GSK)

Canadian and American education students rated each of four teacher types in terms of 24 characteristics. The ratings were factor-analyzed and the teacher types arrayed along the four resultant-principal components. Dissonance theory suggests that findings have implications for teacher education and for student ratings of teachers. (Author)

The interactive influences of goal-setting and metacognitive awareness on the performance of 89 undergraduate education majors were assessed. Individuals grouped according to high or low metacognitive awareness and a goal-setting or control-task condition completed a decision-making task. Results provide initial support for multidimensional…

The effects of working in groups (WIG), goal-setting, and a control condition on self-regulated performance were compared for 126 college students (prospective teachers at high, middle, and low self-efficacy levels). A strong interaction between performance condition and individual self-efficacy level surfaced. WIG only increased performance of…

The relationship between gain in attitude toward and increases in knowledge of educational research was investigated in preservice social studies teachers. Results indicated that increases in knowledge did not result in gains in attitude. There were no significant differences between individual-workbook and lecture-workbook instructional…

This study examined relationships between measures of personality characteristics, personal and teaching practices beliefs, levels of dogmatism, and cognitive outcomes for a sample of graduating education students. (Author/GSK)

The hypothesis was tested that students with a field-independent cognitive style would learn most about numeration systems if they had minimum guidance and maximum opportunity for discovery through the use of manipulative materials. Data were gathered on 46 prospective elementary school teachers. The hypothesis was supported. (Author/MH)

To determine whether teacher training has a predictable and desirable impact on the affective attributes of prospective teachers, measures of anxiety, attitude, concerns, and confidence about teaching were administered to 153 prospective teachers at the beginning of training and after student teaching. Implications for teacher training are…

The relationship between locus of control and three dimensions of discovery learning was investigated. Mathematics students were assigned to treatments differing in level of guidance, inductive or deductive sequencing, or use of small groups. Aptitude-treatment interaction occurred between locus of control and small-group instruction. (Author/GK)

A longitudinal study compared the characteristics of teacher candidates who persisted and did not persist through the early years of teaching. Gender, major, initial assurance about teaching, and time of the decision to teach were related to persistence for the 29% of 551 candidates studied who persisted. (SLD)

This study examined the interaction between field independence and two treatments: small group and individual mathematics instruction. There was significant interaction when achievement was the dependent variable, but not when student ratings of the course were used. The interaction was due more to general ability than cognitive style. (Author/GSK)

The relationships between scores on the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire, the Brown Personal Beliefs and Teaching Practices Inventories, and the Rokeach Dogmatism Scale for 191 female, beginning teacher education students were investigated using canonical and simple correlation analyses. (Author/GDC)