Discusses issues involved in electronically delivered distance education courses in higher education relating to the role of faculty. Topics include preparation, presentation, and participation; content considerations; writing skills; student motivation; involving students in their learning by encouraging interaction and communication; and…

The relation between learning environment (perceptions of classroom goal structure and teachers' instructional discourse) and students' reported use of avoidance strategies (self-handicapping, avoidance of help seeking) and preference to avoid novelty in mathematics was examined. High incidence of motivational support was uniquely characteristic…

Discusses text features that tended to engage boys, and describes their desire to use literacy to share and socialize. Finds that boys were more different than alike, and that very particular conditions in the social context were more important than preexisting interests. Offers brief descriptions of 11 books the author has found to be appealing…

Suggests that an intensive language-oriented English poetry class conducted for one semester for university students in Korea demonstrates that English poetry can be properly integrated in language classes with positive results, not only by heightening students' motivation and interest in English but also by improving their language performance.…

This study investigated the abilities, self-concept, personality, interest, motivational traits, and other determinants of knowledge across physical sciences/technology, biology/psychology, humanities, and civic domains. Results are consistent with theoretical predictions that development of intellect as knowledge results from investment of…

A study asked 980 women in the German-speaking part of Switzerland questions regarding psychosomatic well-being, sexual actions, and perpetrator strategies. Results indicate the use of strategies involving affection had a stronger effect than those based on force. Love-bargaining was more influential than self-blaming and the need for affection.…

Looks at learner initiative in teacher-fronted activities, and how this can influence classroom interaction. Extracts from lesson transcripts of adult evening classes in Italy are used to give precise definition of what is meant by learner initiative and to illustrate how it can change interaction patterns. (Author/VWL)

Surveyed 49 intermediate-level French-as-a-Foreign-Language college students to determine whether they preferred extensive reading or grammar instruction for language acquisition and practice, and why. Students overwhelmingly preferred reading as more pleasurable and more beneficial for language acquisition. They considered grammar instruction…

Discusses William A. Long's trait theory of personality based on reactive behavior patterns. Argues that reactive behavior patterns in students are defined by two dimensions: aggressive/passive and dependent/independent. Suggests that Long's trait theory has important implications for developing effective classroom teaching strategies. Contains 18…

Investigated urban high school teachers' and students' perspectives on student engagement. Data from observations and interviews indicated that teachers focused on barriers they perceived restrained their ability to engage students. Students reported barriers but noted that their engagement levels were flexible and responsive to teachers' actions.…

Examines motivation in high school students' conceptual change about physics principles, and college students' motivation for biology learning. Finds grades and interest were important, but students did not report the importance of social support. Suggests similar motivations are important in both conceptual change and assimilation and help…

Describes a follow-up study on student performance that investigated whether students' lack of success in an introductory psychology course was specific to the class or part of a general pattern of failure. Finds that 9.5% of the students did not finish the course successfully and that academic intervention did not help. Contains 14 references.…

Describes a summer science course in which an Internet-based computer network that allows elementary teachers to interact with each other and encourage more science instruction is designed, modeled, and evaluated. Contains over 20 references. (WRM)

Traced four Canadian Grade 10 students' descriptions and interpretations of evaluative discourse in their junior high school, focusing on the use of effort and ability attributions to explain successes and failures. Each student participated individually in five semi-structured interviews with the researcher that were audiotaped, transcribed, and…

Review of recent research on effective teaching examines six areas of higher education teaching: (1) teaching dimensions and behaviors; (2) teaching considerations (including instructional design, methods, and teaching styles); (3) teaching and motivation; (4) teaching and teacher assessment and evaluation; (5) teaching technologies; and (6)…