Describes a research project in which elementary students with learning disabilities participate in both individual and cooperative computer-enhanced writing sessions, using three types of topics: free choice, literature based, and fantasy based. Finds the computer-enhanced whole-language writing sessions more instructionally effective than the…

The Bama Bookworm Program, developed by a university remedial reading summer school program, encourages parents of remedial readers to listen to their children read and to ask comprehension questions four nights a week for a month. The program provides incentives (pizzas and t-shirts) and was enthusiastically received by parents and children. (DB)

The founder of "Teach for America," a nonprofit organization to recruit capable but undirected college seniors for a two-year commitment to teaching, has successfully brought in a corps of graduates with a high level of commitment, academic excellence, varied skills, and a better minority representation to teach in difficult-to-staff…

Compares the use of computer-based training (CBT) and interactive videodisc (IVD) for education and training. Highlights include research about CBT, including administrative strengths, cost effectiveness, motivation, feedback, and lesson control; steps involved in producing CBT and IVD materials; research about IVD, including content and learner…

Describes the variety of motivating instructional techniques modeled by the instructor in an undergraduate foundations of education course: lecture with transparencies; effective use of videos; cooperative learning; effective review techniques; computer-assisted instruction; and the Program for Effective Teaching model. (IAH)

Examined the role of natural peer-group selection and socialization processes in children's school motivation in two fourth- and two fifth-grade classrooms. Student and teacher reports of students' classroom engagement, and student interviews allowed the construction of composite maps of the social networks in these classrooms. A significant…

Discusses adult learner characteristics, explains events of instruction, and describes how the characteristics of adult learners can be merged with these events of instruction to help facilitate instruction in software use. Highlights include gaining attention; motivation; stimulating recall of prerequisite material; feedback; performance…

Examines the Motivational Theory and Time Continuum models of developmental student motivation, focusing on teacher responsibilities. Indicates that blending the two models provides a procedure for analyzing the student audience, a list of potential motivational strategies, and suggestions for constructing motivational objectives. (15 citations)…

Explains how Richard Plass of Stuyvesant High School has managed to produce more Westinghouse semifinalists than any other teacher in the United States. It describes how the love of teaching coupled with the love of working with children can heighten educational quality. (GLR)

Contends that geographic literacy should not be taught in isolation but integrated with content. Recommends the use of children's literature to motivate students and enrich instruction. Describes how children's literature can be used to teach the 5 themes of geography and includes a list of 24 recommended books. (CFR)

Examines the effects of social class in the political socialization of education in relation to participation in collective action. Analyzes data from a national survey of high school students. Concludes that political efficacy, student organizational leadership, college preparatory study, and urban school attendance increase the likelihood of…

Four sources of efficacy (achievement, modeling, verbal encouragement, and emotional response) with regard to high school math, locus of control, and math self-efficacy were assessed for 97 male and 66 female Japanese undergraduates. Men reported significantly higher math self-efficacy. Of the four sources, only verbal persuasion did not make a…

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…