Laboratory research that compared the effects of various types and combinations of feedback on children's conceptual learning was reviewed and evaluated in terms of theories involving reinforcement, motivation, and information-processing interpretations. It was concluded that some important laboratory research findings and implications have been…

Results of a study of the relationship between students' propensities to withdraw from a course and the faculty member's grading in that course show that students do use the option to withdraw from courses when grades tend to be low in order to protect their grade point averages. (JMD)

This study investigated the relationship between adjustment to secondary school and 17 cognitive and noncognitive variables, including intelligence (verbal and nonverbal reasoning), academic achievement, extraversion-introversion, stable/unstable, social adjustment, endeavor, age, sex, and school form. (CP)

Discusses two paperback books, "The Malacia Tapestry" and "The Shattered Chain," that are written with a junk-fiction formula yet have serious themes. Contends that teachers may find the books useful in motivating thoughtful nonreaders. (FL)

Discusses factors contributing to the declining U.S. productivity growth rate and compares U.S. production to Germany and Japan. Presents model programs that have recognized the need to develop in people the desire to work, study, improve, and become more productive citizens. (LRA)

Provides findings in support of the assertion that learned helplessness has been inadequately substantiated as the explanation of previous research results. (Author/RL)

Discusses how to provide effective Internet instruction to Latino students in higher education. Topics include cultural issues, computer literacy inequalities, the Internet as a motivating influence, broadening students' world views, learning styles, and implications for librarians. (LRW)

Presents tips for school librarians to encourage reading based on Stephen Krashen's analysis in "The Power of Reading" of more than 200 research studies, articles, and books on reading and literacy. Highlights include the effects of reading on student achievement; recreational reading; and reading aloud. (LRW)

Argues that it has not been fashionable to value literacy stories from parents as a source of knowledge for interpreting the home literacy environment. Compares teacher descriptions of several at-risk children to their parents' literacy stories. Concludes that understanding multiple home literacy environments can help teachers think critically…

A teacher at a Beijing international school describes some exciting, unexpected benefits of providing all 10 eighth graders in the school with laptop computers. During a three-month pilot program, students quickly became proficient at using, caring for, and managing their personal laptops. Teachers learned that some subject areas were more…

Replies to Kirkpatrick's argument (1995) that Modern Standard Chinese, Japanese, and Korean should not be taught in Australian primary and lower secondary schools and that only traditional European languages and Indonesian should be taught at these levels. The response argues that these Asian languages should be taught alongside the traditional…

Discusses the importance of parents' helping children to read from birth and notes the most crucial and enjoyable way is reading aloud to children. Presents six basic skills that parents can help new readers to use: getting help from pictures; remembering; sounding out the letters; expecting what comes next; writing; and making sense of content.…

Describes a study to investigate how effectively concept mapping can be used to focus children on their own learning in science and to provide a way of describing their own achievements. Findings indicate that some children were able to identify specific targets for future learning. Motivation and metacognition were the main areas of benefit. (PVD)

A mathematics teacher shares a family discussion about Pythagorean triples as her child discovers new ideas about generating a triple. This idea can be useful for introducing students to the Pythagorean theorem. Observes that middle school students tend not to share creative insights in spite of supportive families and teachers. Presents…

Argues that nonverbal communication in the language classroom can have dramatic results for the students' appreciation for the subject and in the cognitive domain. Notes that the personality and expectations of the teachers, their gestures, tone of voice, and facial expressions have an important effect on language acquisition. (29 references)…