Presents the results of a survey in which high school choral music students identified teacher behaviors that motivate students in choral rehearsal. Lists and discusses the most effective motivational behaviors: (1) creating a nurturing environment; (2) providing feedback; (3) assigning interesting repertoire; and (4) presenting achievable…

Reports on a small-scale research project designed to examine the characteristics of good primary science teachers and consider how they became good teachers of science. Reports that the findings question the efficacy of an approach to initial teacher education that focuses on the development of subject knowledge. (CMK)

Uses technology to teach science courses to elementary teachers. Involves microcomputers and discusses the motivator role of technology. Introduces the course that is designed for prospective teachers and explains reasons for the development of the course. (YDS)

Describes support given to Israeli teachers and several students who could not keep up in an advanced English-as-a-Second Language classroom. A special program allowed the teacher to meet with them two extra hours per week immediately before class. As students' motivation to learn increased, they began completing their homework, improving…

Examines correlations between student cognitive-motivational characteristics and perceptions of computer conferencing as a supplement to classroom instruction. Questionnaires were distributed to 209 students in eight introductory psychology classes. Results indicated perceptions positively related to intrinsic motivation, thinking skills, and task…

Investigates the efficacy of student motivation, prior achievement, and previous instructional experience for predicting performance in college mathematics. Findings indicate that student attitudes were significant predictors of grade performance; previous instructional experience was more significant for predicting pass/fail outcomes than…

The purpose of this study was to develop a videodisc-based computer-aided multimedia-anchored instruction for Chinese students and to examine its effects on student attitudes toward mathematics and anchored instruction. Participants were 74 fifth graders. Results indicated that anchored instruction improved students' attitudes toward mathematics…

Describes a survey of faculty and administrators at a research university that investigated faculty use of technology in teaching, motivating and inhibiting factors for participating in distance education, and understanding of policies on distance education. Presents a factor analysis of motivating and inhibiting factors and considers gender, age,…

This article explores ways that teachers can build competence in students who have difficulties in communicating with others, rather than focus on their deficits. Tips include ways to interpret body language, encourage group membership, ways to influence student behavior, and ways to encourage communication and independent decision making by…

A study examined motivation among 150 students studying French as a foreign language in a Scottish and a Canadian secondary school. Canadian teachers' tendency towards control fostered extrinsic student motivation, whereas Scottish students were more amenable to intrinsic motivation. Successful foreign language teaching lies in conveying social…

Examined social-contextual conditions that led teachers to be more autonomy supportive versus controlling with students. Using structural equation modeling the authors observed that the more pressure teachers perceive from above and from below, the less they are self-determined toward teaching. In turn, the less they are self-determined, the more…

Describes an elementary school's reading-incentive program, based on a travel theme, that was developed to promote greater understanding of diverse cultures, to increase knowledge of world geography, and to encourage independent reading. Topics include motivation, parent involvement, public-library help, and increased use of the library's…

Discusses children's rights and the UN (United Nations) Convention on the Rights of the Child. Examines trends that relate to three rights of children (access to education, children and violence, and child health) and evidence of progress in establishing each right. Provides two model units that are linked to the NCSS (National Council for the…

Presents the results of a survey of secondary school students in England that investigated access to computers at home, frequency and duration of use, the applications used including games and word processing, and students' reasons for using a computer at home. Also discusses gender differences in terms of access, frequency of use and applications…

Explores the demographics of faculty who volunteer to teach using distance-education technologies and discusses incentives for this participation. Finds that faculty have an interest in teaching with technology as a component of student learning, and they see internal rewards as the dominant motivation for involvement. Contains 15 references. (VWC)