This study examined whether gifted high school achievers (n=122) and gifted underachievers (n=56) differed in their general academic self-perceptions, attitudes toward school and teachers, motivation and self-regulation, and goal valuation. The two groups differed in all measured areas except academic self-perceptions. Group membership was usually…

An Oregon high school offered an interdisciplinary history/science course on the Lewis and Clark Expedition that focuses on experiential learning and student projects. Camping and field trips helped make the material relevant as the course moved from a study of the primordial Pacific Northwest, through the Native American period, to what has…

This ethnographic study compared the classroom practices of low, moderately, and highly engaging third-grade teachers in eight Catholic schools. Findings indicated that in low engaging classrooms, teachers used many practices that undermined motivation. Moderately engaging teachers used many potentially motivating practices but assigned tasks that…

Explains teaching methods for literature classes for seventh and eighth grades. Proposes that writing is a major tool in teaching literature. Outlines techniques which encourage students to look at other cultures. Concludes that reading has many cultural values, and that short stories have an impact on young minds. (PM)

Investigated the unique perspectives of African American women forming special education scholarship. Qualitative research on 10 African American women with doctorates in special education highlighted what it meant to be an underrepresented black female in a broader community of scholars, describing respondents' resistance to the dominant culture…

Describes a project designed to enhance the technological ability of university students enrolled in an early literacy course. Models the use of technology as a tool for literacy instruction in hopes that these teachers and future teachers would become more familiar with technology and use it when teaching their early childhood students to read.…

Investigated British teacher trainees' motivations to teach information and communication technology (ICT). Observation and interview data indicated that respondents were influenced by past teaching experiences, helping learners, special interest in ICT, and belief that ICT would be good for students. While they were not motivated by material…

Examines how student perceptions of instructor argumentativeness and verbal aggressiveness are associated with their perceptions of the classroom climate, their reported levels of classroom apprehension, and their reported levels of state motivation. Finds that perceived instructor argumentativeness was not related to perceived classroom climate…

Considers the future of online education and the roles of students and teachers. Highlights include using scenarios of future possibilities; participation, including motivation and scaffolding; emotions; time, including the teacher's workload and time expected of students; asynchronicity and complexity; and a list of relevant Web resources. (LRW)

Accelerated Schools are built on the strengths of school staff, students, parents, and communities with the goal of bringing at-risk students into the educational mainstream by the end of elementary school. During the 1990-91 school year, 53 schools are participating in the Accelerated Schools Program, including statewide networks in Missouri and…

Sixty training tips are presented for university phonathon fund-raising managers, focusing on training materials, the training session, role playing, talking points with trainees, togetherness, food and prizes, morale boosters, talking points with prospects, and how to ask for a pledge. (DB)

Considers three approaches to using entertainment films in history and social studies classes. Provides a list of Hollywood films currently available on videotape and a list of books, articles, and journals dealing with the role of film in society. (GG)

Discusses the following barriers to adult learning: (1) motivation is dependent on usefulness of material; (2) ideas and values are fully formed and resistent to challenge; (3) students develop a negative self-image; and (4) students experience reentry shock and infantilization. Discusses an orientation course involving critical thinking designed…

Outlines three methods of introducing original paintings to young children: narratives, finding a consensus, and building on a shared experience. Analyzes the childrens' verbal and artistic responses. (KM)

Describes how the Educational Sector of the Sao Paulo Biennial assists art teachers in introducing contemporary art into the schools. Outlines how students were observed viewing the exhibition and creating artworks. Describes how training programs and materials were provided to help the schools. (KM)