Presents a method that enables students to assess political cartoons and record their findings in written form. Suggests guidelines for cartoon evaluation as well as questions which help organize interpretations. Includes three political cartoons and descriptions of how they might be used in the classroom. (GEA)

Suggestions are given on how to introduce calculators in the primary grades plus activities to teach number concepts and number patterns. (MNS)

Examination of high school students' responses to two exercise videotapes, one with the instructor's appearance altered so that he appeared overweight, indicated that the instructor's appearance may be a powerful mediator of teaching effectiveness. Students exhibited a lesser intent to exercise and less favorably rated the overweight instructor's…

Computers can be used to teach reading to reading-disabled students in three modes: the tutor mode, tool mode, and tutee mode. The computer's ability to improve motivation and to provide versatility is examined. A vignette is presented of computer use in the instructional program of a reading-disabled nine-year-old. (Author/JDD)

Cognitive, social, and organizational problems put some groups at a disadvantage in learning mathematics, science, and technology. Recent programs and policies have begun to improve these inequalities. Minorities and women can benefit from long-term programs that help them to recontextualize information, reduce their anxiety, and spend more time…

A survey of 612 extremely gifted adolescents attending the Talent Identification Program identified three groups: (1) academically oriented; (2) socially oriented; and (3) highly motivated-gregarious. The tendency among gifted females to be more social and gregarious and better balanced between social and achievement interests than males warrants…

At a time when educators and businesses are alarmed by the poor preparation of students in the sciences, high achieving Asian Americans are being kept out of the most prestigious institutions. The success of Asian Americans in gaining access to higher education has led some institutions to limit their numbers. (MLW)

Assesses the extent of the dropout problem in New York City, and investigates reasons students leave school and characteristics of dropouts. Describes the City University of New York's (CUNY's) Student-Mentor Program, which involves high-achieving CUNY students as peer tutors and role models for high-risk high school students. (DMM)

This study used the Second IEA Mathematics Study data to examine which of the 10 measured attitude dimensions were pertinent in explaining mathematics achievement variance of Form One students in Hong Kong. Correlational and commonality analysis revealed several of the attitude dimensions contributed to the explained achievement variance.…

Whole language learning, which is often defined in abstract terms, is discussed in terms of its rationale, its practical applications, its implications for how communication skills are taught, and its classroom implementation. (JL)

Notes that because teachers are often burdened with too many noneducational responsibilities, they lose commitment to the profession as well as a sense of purpose. Suggests ways teachers can regain and maintain a sense of purpose and hope. (JC)

Use of computers by young children may increase cognitive development and motivation. Computer use may also increase capabilities of disabled children. Concerns about young children's use of computers center on the nature of software, cultural values reflected in software, and equity of computer use. (NH)

Described are differences in the mathematical problem-solving performance of third-grade gifted and fifth-grade average students observed during an eight-week period. Results indicate that attitudes, motivation, and belief systems were important to performance. There were major differences in problem-solving behavior between boys and girls.…

Investigation of how college students' (N=125) personality characteristics influenced their attitudes toward various second-language learning activities partially confirmed hypotheses suggesting that risk taking and sociability factors positively influenced attitudes toward free language use and negatively affected attitudes toward highly…

Examines the construct, appropriateness and appeal of natural science action books. Defines them as books with movable three-dimensional parts which illuminate scientific concepts as well as add immeasurably to children's pleasure of learning about the natural world. Stresses integral nature of motivational/instructional materials in children's…