Used social network analysis to investigate the peer group as context for socialization of young adolescents' school motivation and achievement. Found that students' Fall peer context predicted changes in liking and enjoyment of school and achievement over the year. Students' peer context was unrelated to changes in their beliefs about the…

The tougher standards movement has five fatal flaws. An emphasis on scores limits student willingness to experiment and be challenged. The "basic skills" approach to teaching--pouring knowledge down student throats--has never worked well. Standardized testing necessarily creates winners and losers. Accountability is coercive and…

Relationships between parental report of children's peer play at home and indicators of children's school readiness were examined. Behavior ratings and observational data were collected for preschool children from an urban Head Start program. Play competencies exhibited in the home environment were significantly associated with prosocial behavior…

Three experimental studies investigated psychological processes underlying the effects of achievement in one domain and on self-perceived competence in another. In Study 1, high achievement in one domain led to lower self-perceived competence in the other. Study 2 showed inverse effects on self-perceived competence based on achievement feedback.…

Describes distance education courses developed by the mathematics department at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs that were offered over the Internet. Highlights include motivation for the courses, including student needs; incorporation of traditional classroom elements into the presentations; selection of appropriate equipment;…

Examines differences between undergraduate distance-learning students and traditional students in terms of their motivation, wants, and what they receive from their educational experience. The differences between the two groups was found to be small. The major difference was that distance-learning students are more satisfied with what they receive…

Offers practical suggestions for encouraging reluctant (and all) high school readers and writers. Advocates looking at student reluctance and motivation; understanding the process of reading; understanding that everyone learns differently; and that reading is a social act. Offers the response from a high school English teacher with a sampling with…

Argues that teacher memories of childhood and early schooling have an impact on teachers' motivations, expectations, and values in the classroom. Examines how memories of early learning and schooling can influence the application of developmentally appropriate practice in the early child classroom in three important areas: learning environments,…

Outlines a stock market activity that has helped English for specific purposes students in business school learn technical vocabulary. The objective is to minimize confusion by using visuals with written and spoken words, and to find effective ways of promoting learning and generating motivation. (Author/VWL)

Assesses the linguistic nature of home community, recollections of early experiences in second language learning, and attitudes and beliefs about language learning and bilingualism in English-speaking Canadian college students who study French. Surveys provide support for a causal model which indicates that sociocultural experiences influence…

High-stakes tests can set a clear, challenging hurdle for students and schools, while increasing the numbers of failing kids. Costs and benefits include increased equity, clear and focused curricula, efficient use of resources, achievement-based school personnel evaluations, limited local decision making, narrow curriculum, and favored course…

Describes a collective case study of 12 high school juniors who identified themselves as avid readers of popular fiction. Finds strong reading relationships between parents and high school students. Describes the different roles that parents played in their adolescent children's reading lives. Looks at implications for secondary English classrooms…

Presents an annotated bibliography of research, journal, book, and Web resources supporting multiculturalism and global education. Discusses need to encourage students to seek out information from a diversity of viewpoints, scholarly traditions, and cultural perspectives to arrive at a reasoned and informed understanding of issues. (PEN)

Examined literacy development and enhancement, and level of child interest and involvement in preschools. Found that, although many preschools were fostering the growth of literacy in numerous ways through the environment, materials provided, and activities implemented, many missed opportunities to foster growth and interest in emergent reading…

Shows how evolution-theoretical behavioral research may serve to influence the theory production of pedagogics. Questions which truths and securities are required by educational practice and which consequences can be drawn for the level of theoretical cognition of the respective discipline. An analysis of the relation between religion in its…