Finds that K-12 literacy professionals: (1) read journal articles and books more often than research journals or electronic sources; (2) believe in collaborative experiences among teachers; (3) are interested in becoming teacher researchers; (4) feel book clubs are valuable; (5) do not want portfolio assessment to replace other forms; and (6) feel…

Describes how the teacher of a Composition II class (a second-semester composition class with the emphasis in research writing and bibliography) had the students, through their research, generate the readings for themselves. Describes how class discussion, writing fluency and clarity, rhetorical strategies, and development of essays all displayed…

Records reasons that six head teachers at English primary schools gave for choosing to be teaching heads. Reports that they found that they could not successfully meet all of its demands but could not admit this. Notes strategies they adopted to preserve their image in the eyes of parents and administrators. (DSK)

Interviews were conducted with university students aged 24-79, including 12 African-American females, six African-American males, three Hispanic females, and two Hispanic males. Responses identified motivation, access issues, and their needs as minorities and as adults, resulting in recommendations for improving the campus environment, support…

Studied the motivation of 60 black urban male tenth-graders, half achievers and half with lower achievement scores. Results suggest that if potential achievers are to be turned into achievers, teachers must focus on activities designed to foster intrinsic motivation. Techniques for working with low-income minority youth are outlined. (SLD)

A study examined the integrity with which four general education teachers implemented an intervention designed to improve the academic performance of elementary school students. The teachers markedly increased the integrity of the delivered treatment when they were provided with performance feedback and students' performance improved as integrity…

Examines recent research on developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) and social-emotional and cognitive development and what has been learned about DAP in early childhood classrooms. Finds that, in general, child-initiated environments are associated with higher levels of cognitive functioning, which, coupled with findings on stress and…

This research aimed to develop an instrument to measure teacher behaviors that create a caring learning environment and determine these behaviors' usage frequency. The instrument proved reliable. Five broad behaviors emerged: ability to reduce anxiety, willingness to listen, rewarding of appropriate behavior, being a friend, and appropriately…

Discusses the need for children to go beyond literacy to become lifelong readers. Highlights include the reading process; reading instruction; and the role of the librarian, including reading books aloud, allowing children to choose their own books, book discussion groups, teaching different purposes of reading, and author studies. (LRW)

Before playing a video game, 47 gifted second graders and 47 gifted fifth graders were instructed to adopt an evaluative, process, outcome, or no specific goal focus while playing. Older children showed better performance overall and their best performance when instructed to adopt an evaluative goal. Younger children showed their worst performance…

Examines the effects of a prototype of motivationally-adaptive computer-assisted instruction (CAI). Findings indicate CAI can be designed to be motivationally adaptive to respond to changes in learner motivation that may occur over time. Results also illustrate that the ARCS (attention, relevance, confidence, satisfaction) model can be useful and…

Offers suggestions for building school library collections in English and language arts. Discusses how the Maryland School Performance Assessment Program (MSPAP) tests for proficiency in three purposes of reading and how it can be used to evaluate a library collection; and includes four annotated bibliographies of books suitable for elementary…

Presents a workshop format and strategy instruction that helped struggling middle school readers connect with books, the teacher, and one another. Recognizes that the author needs to get adolescents who frequently avoid reading to see themselves as readers and help them improve. (SG)

Offers brief descriptions of 12 recently and not-so-recently published books for young adults, that speak to a wide range of interests at a variety of reading levels, and that could be "just the ticket" to help a reluctant reader bond with books. (SR)

Discusses the integration of Web-based learning systems into higher education and presents five fictional case studies that incorporate innovation and academic development. Topics include good teaching practice; motivating change; assessment; the importance of teaching and learning strategies rather than just technology; and barriers to change.…