Explores the nature and extent of perceived challenge in learning and teaching science. Teachers (n=7) and students (n=37) in 5 secondary schools were the subjects of this study. Findings suggest that many students are insufficiently challenged by the science they learn in school and many teachers are insufficiently challenged by the task of…

Discusses design issues raised during an in-house review of undergraduate English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) writing courses at the University of Nebraska. Issues covered include the purpose of teaching ESL in a university environment, the autonomy of instructors, focus of the writing curriculum, and the value of student effort versus student…

Examines variables taken into account by community college students in choosing a college, arguing that increased competition for students means that colleges must employ marketing strategies. Discusses the use of the selection factors as market segmentation tools. Identifies five principal market segments based on student classifications of…

Explains that students in intermediate grades often find the academic demands more difficult and complex. Four factors are identified: ability, quality and quantity of instruction, and motivation. Examines the direct and indirect effects of variables shown to influence academic achievement. Claims that motivation and homework are especially…

Presents, in the form of a conversation with a vampire, results of a teacher's research on middle school students' reading preferences. Includes a list of favorite books mentioned, favorite authors mentioned, and how students found these favorite books. (SR)

This study compared the motivational orientations and metacognitive abilities of 143 Grade 7 intellectually gifted students in an Australian selective school with 133 average-achieving age peers attending comprehensive schools. Gifted students had greater confidence in their own control over successes or failures in school tasks, demonstrated more…

Examines a pedagogical language and theoretical framework for graduate-level teaching in student affairs preparation programs. Conversation, dialog, textual analysis, and ethical practice are discussed as components of a pedagogy underscored with passion. Advocates ethical behavior in graduate seminars by prodding students to encourage goodness in…

Thanks to "HIRE Education," a project of Delaware's Business, Industry, and Education Alliance, employers may legally obtain high school attendance and performance information when evaluating job applicants. This may help motivate noncollege-bound students to work harder in class, improve their attendance, get along with peers, and…

Results of a questionnaire completed by 985 secondary school students in England (180 Asian females), indicate that Asian females enjoy school as much as or more than their counterparts, and enjoy subjects along sex stereotypical lines regardless of ethnicity. Grouping students by ethnicity for studies of motivation is questioned. (SLD)

Associations among children's beliefs about intelligence and effort, goal orientations, self-reported learning strategies, and academic achievement were studied with 319 children in grades 3 through 6. Results revealed a coherent set of beliefs about intelligence and academic performance, and that beliefs are powerful predictors of achievement…

In-depth interviews with nine adults over 50 in a socially disadvantaged area explored their reactions to British government policy on the role of adult education. Government emphasis on vocational relevance and economic motives for lifelong learning did not correlate with their needs, interests, or motivations. Respondents tended toward intrinsic…

Some character education programs are based on assumptions about children and how they learn that may undermine camp programs' long-term objectives for children. Key elements to consider are the assumptions made about human nature and children; how program structures like competition or cooperation influence character; whether kids are involved in…

Explores a case study of a class of 10th grade students whose learning of genetics involved activities using BioLogica, a computer program that features multiple external representations (MERs). Findings indicate that the MERs in BioLogica contributed to students' development of genetics reasoning by engendering their motivation and interest but…

Discusses teachers' views on state-mandated testing. Data from a literature review and teacher surveys indicate that high stakes, state-mandated testing can lead to instruction that contradicts teachers' views of sound educational practice. Teachers feel that pressure to raise test scores encourages them to emphasize instructional and assessment…

Describes how many students expect reading to be about answering literal-level questions, taking true-false tests, and figuring out what a teacher wants to know. Explains the Six Traits of Reading from Northwest Regional Educational Labs: decoding; building context; comprehending; interpreting; synthesizing; and evaluating. Notes that these sorts…