Digital badges--defined as digital credentials that convey an array of skills, interests, and achievements--are steadily growing in acceptance as a way to validate learning that takes place not only in school but also at home and in a number of other out-of-school settings. This report builds on the growing body of literature about digital badge…

In this study, we conducted binary logistic regression on survey data collected from 244 past participants of a Talent Search program who attended regular high schools but supplemented their regular high school education with enriched or accelerated math and science learning activities. The participants completed an online survey 4 to 6 years…

Does having more knowledge or interest in the topics used in example problems facilitate or hinder learning in statistics? Undergraduates enrolled in Introductory Psychology received a lesson on central tendency. Following the lesson, half of the students completed a worksheet with a baseball cover story while the other half received a weather…

This dissertation reports the results of a qualitative and quantitative research project that examined the perceptions of fifteen participants, in three separate school districts, concerning interest-based and traditional collective bargaining. The study focused on the relationships between administrators and teachers, as well as the financial…

The authors adapted an experimental design to examine effects of instruction prior to entry into a children's museum exhibit on caregiver-child interactions and children's learning. One hundred twenty-one children (mean age = 6.6 years) and their caregivers were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 conditions that varied according to what, if any,…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of Cheering in the Classroom, a four day program designed purposefully to increase female awareness and perceptions of technology fields. The camp included discipline-based activities from the 13 different programs of study based in technology. The camp targeted high school cheerleaders and…

MOTIVATIONS, INTERESTS, AND NEEDS RELATED TO PARTICIPATION IN VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS BY WOMEN WERE STUDIED. A THREE-PART INSTRUMENT WAS DEVELOPED TO MEASURE SELECTED MOTIVATIONS, TO COLLECT DATA OF DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS, AND TO MEASURE SATISFACTION OF ACTIVITIES. THE SAMPLE WAS COMPOSED OF 997 HOME ECONOMICS EXTENSION CLUB MEMBERS AND 129…

This statewide study of Illinois foundations indicates that by researching where foundation grants have gone in the past, a pattern of giving can be deduced. (Editor)

In recent years, there has been increased policy interest in the way young people spend their time out of school, and in promoting the availability of opportunities for them to spend this time in productive and developmentally supportive ways. Out-of-school opportunities (such as arts and music programs, sports teams, community service, youth …