A study involving 176 secondary school students was undertaken to determine how specific motivational processes are related to the salience of mastery and performance goals in classroom settings. Findings suggest that classroom goal orientation may facilitate maintenance of adaptive motivation patterns when students adopt salient mastery goals.…

The limited research on precocity in infants and preschool children is reviewed, examining specifically the problems of: describing young gifted children, predicting their future development, determining the origins of high achievement motivation and commitment, and nurturing the talent at home and/or in the preschool. (Author/JDD)

Summarizes 10 exemplary programs which address topics on individualized biology, a modified team approach, limnology, physical anthropology, the relevance of biology to society, ecology, and health. Provides names and addresses of contact persons for further information. Units cover a broad range of abilities and activities. (RT)

Suggests that teachers of required history courses have a particularly challenging task in their first class meeting because of the captive nature of their audience. Proposes using the technique of providing humorous information and intriguing anecdotes to stimulate student interest. Provides a list of such items for teacher use. (KO)

A survey of 140 adults who were completing requirements for a high school diploma or upgrading their business or academic skills reported past and present barriers to participation in educational programs. In contrast to other research, attitudinal barriers such as lack of self-confidence and lack of previous education were reported more…

Suggests strategies for dealing with job stress and for prolonging career satisfaction. Stresses time management as a prime coping tool. Encourages reviewing objectives, and planning and setting priorities. Points out value of good physical health to development of mental fitness. (LS)

A research-based model is presented that accounts for major patterns of adaptive and maladaptive behavior in terms of underlying psychological processes. It is postulated that as individuals' self-attributes are translated into allied goals, these goals generate corresponding behavior patterns. (SLD)

Describes interactive games that can be used to encourage students to complete reading assignments, and gives suggestions for improving the usefulness of readings. The games emphasize instructional objectives including verbal fluency, recall of facts, perceiving important points, summarizing, heuristics, debating, and tutorial support. (LRW)

The development, implementation, and observational evaluation of focused learning activities developed for students visiting the Museum of the Jewish Diaspora in Israel are discussed. The activities stimulated interest and motivation in most of the subjects, who were from five seventh-, eighth-, and ninth-grade classes. (TJH)

Qualitatively examines the problems and successes of first- and second-grade children as they were introduced to word processors. Finds that the problems encountered were neither lasting enough, nor insurmountable enough to recommend not introducing children to word processors. (RS)

A study of college students' motivation for learning, and other social-psychological aspects of second language learning, found students learn German for instrumental, friendship, travel, identification/influence, and knowledge reasons. Fluency was related to motivation, and students of German heritage had higher self-confidence in the German…

Explores relationships between motivations for television viewing, including shyness, loneliness, self-esteem, and three measures of social support. Suggests viewing motivations are related to needs arising from two distinct sources: social compensation and mood management. (MS)

Empirical evidence, using qualified science teachers, has shown that spatial attributes can be correlated with teaching methods. (MLF)

Increasingly, college and graduate students are designing sophisticated multimedia projects for classes in diverse subject areas. Some students resist the trend, but many respond well to the new challenges, are excited about the new possibilities, and appreciate the potential job skills they acquire. (MSE)

This article examines factors contributing to low academic achievement among young adolescents and provides data documenting low achievement in 12- to 14-year olds. Strategies for improving this population's achievement are offered, taking into consideration factors contributing to low achievement, such as difficulty constructing wholes during…