In search of a better understanding of the learning difficulties in basic electricity, learning results, interest, achievement motivation, IQ, and cognitive development were investigated in students from both urban and rural schools. An analysis reveals that, for urban classes, learning is related primarily to interest and motivation and, for…

Volunteer fund raisers for colleges bring enthusiasm, perspective, motivation, and influence to the task of soliciting gifts. They stretch staff time, fill out the fund-raising team, and cost little. Careful definition of responsibilities, recruitment, training, and monitoring and rewards for good work are essential to getting the best results.…

Students in grades two through five in two elementary school programs were compared over four years on measures of social development. One program emphasized an external motivational orientation; the other helped children develop an internal commitment to values and norms. Results showed that schools differed in ways that were consistent with…

When comparing performances across four versions of Computer as Lab Partner curriculum, increases in understanding were found when students predicted outcomes and reconciled results, and students used a heat-flow model of thermodynamics to integrate their experimental results. Argued is that curriculum must explicitly motivate students to…

Addresses the inappropriateness of methods designed for large classrooms in a small rural school. Offers advantages of small class that are lost in stereotypes based on larger classes. Discusses orientation to the average pupil contrasted with opportunities for more individualized materials in a small class. Criticizes the predominance of frontal…

Proposes categories of teacher ability that make it possible to increase Soviet teacher salaries depending on the results of certification, seniority, and class size. Urges economic motivation as an incentive to attract better candidates to the teaching profession. Criticizes the present practice of awarding salary increases for length of service,…

Describes St. Bonaventura, an inner-city Catholic school in Philadelphia, that consistently produces students who outperform public school students. The article discusses the school's financial problems, dwindling enrollment, teacher and administrator attitudes and motivation; and claims that vision, autonomy, and traditional values make Catholic…

Covariance structure modeling tested four alternative models of determinants of student effort changes. Four alternative models were investigated using 167 junior and 155 senior high school students. Effort ratings by teachers were obtained for 282 of the students. The importance of changes in students' perceptions of ability is discussed. (SLD)

Research on cooperative learning is reviewed, with emphasis on issues related to the formation and implementation of cooperative learning groups. Theoretical bases for the efficacy of cooperative learning are presented. Specific suggestions are provided for implementing a collaborative approach to learning based on extant theory and research. (SLD)

In the site-based management model, principals must have specific skills for effective leadership. Those skills include an ability to motivate teachers, support open management, engineer participative decision making, develop human and group skills with strong communication, and lead and guide activities and groups toward the goals of the school.…

Young children with low vision tend to experience delays in cognitive development, motor development, and social skills because of insufficient motivation and opportunities to explore their environments actively. This literature review explores the resulting difficulties in acquiring practical knowledge and spatial/environmental concepts,…

Urges a rethinking of equality regarding education. Emphasizes that equal access to education will not provide equality of ability. Suggests that educational administration somehow must select and foster excellence in those of ability while promoting fraternity and maintenance of dignity among everyone. Recommends cooperation between philosophers…

Describes a study that examined the relative impact of 44 independent variables on performance in a business simulation used in an administrative policy course. Categories of variables include ability, motivation, interest, confidence, cohesion, and organizational formality; and results indicate that motivation and interest have the most effect on…

A discussion of three years of French experimentation with foreign languages in the elementary schools looks at successes, lessons learned, and issues yet to be resolved, including expansion of languages taught, linguistic objectives of instruction, articulation with secondary education, program administration questions, and design of teacher…

Three articles discuss instructional design considerations in education for executives: (1) "The Use of the Measurement of Continuous Improvement Model for Training Program Evaluation" (Ferdinand Tesoro); (2) "The Systems Design Approach to Developing Computer Based Instruction" (Gerry Costello); and (3) "Training as a…