A discussion of mathematics anxiety and learned helplessness in mathematics focuses on student failure and avoidance in college mathematics learning. It explores possible causes and suggests classroom activities to foster students' interest and success. (MSE)

Research suggests mature college students use more desirable approaches to academic learning, adopting a deep approach (meaning orientation) more often and a surface approach less often than younger students. Explanations include motivation by intrinsic goals; acquisition of a surface approach by younger students in secondary education; and…

Suggests the use of key historical antisocial acts to teach social studies concepts as a means of arousing the interest of adolescents. Recommends overcoming initial sensationalism by shifting emphasis to more appropriate interests. Includes discussion of the Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy assassinations and the Rosenberg spy case. Suggests…

Presents classroom activities using banknotes to teach history and social studies. Suggests that students' interest in money can be utilized to teach about geography, national heroes, symbolism, and the image a nation wishes to present to its citizens and the rest of the world. Lists sources for obtaining banknotes and directories to help identify…

Out of 92 New South Wales pupils identified as talented in primary schools, 3 left school before the end of year 11, and 15 failed to place in the top 25 percent on Australian Higher School Certificate tests. Affective patterns leading to inappropriate study habits and lack of motivation were gleaned from questionnaire responses. (Author/PB)

Critiques Boshier's normative model for adult education futures, which has three components: learner motivation, level of need, and future centeredness. Finds that the first two components encourage unnecessary conflict between individual and societal needs; recommends replacing "needs" with broadly based educational goals and…

Discussion of learning motivation and the influence of culture on it reviews recent literature, explores differences between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, gives an overview of the motivational framework, and makes suggestions for planning lessons to elicit intrinsic motivation among culturally diverse students. The model's purpose is to…

Points out the military and linguistic necessity of including culture as part of language instruction. Maintains that addressing the cultural based Content Final Learning Objectives within the Defense Language Institute's Foreign Language Center classroom provides an invaluable, necessary foundation for enabling students to develop passion for the…

Discusses three classes of nonacademic outcomes to foster in students: (1) social, ethical, and civic dispositions; (2) attitudes toward school and learning motivation; and (3) metacognitive skills. Provides guidance about how to accomplish these goals. Suggests that this broader school reform agenda will promote dispositions needed to sustain a…

Relations between classroom contexts and young children's self-regulated learning were examined through the use of writing and portfolio activities. Findings support sociocognitive models of learning regarding how classroom contexts affect students' beliefs, values, expectations, and actions. (Author/GCP)

Low-achieving college students (N=94) evidenced less use of self-regulating strategies and a stronger relationship of self-regulated strategy use to positive motivational orientation than high-achieving students (N=49). Samples were predominantly white and female. Encouraging the use of these strategies may improve low achievers' academic…

Presents information relevant to school counseling about the implications of work changes. Outlines foundational guides for student success: improving decision making, learning about career paths, acquiring employability skills, and developing lifelong learning attitudes. Describes activities to facilitate career development. (SK)

At Lowell Elementary School, gifted and highly motivated students from Tacoma (Washington) elementary schools come together to work on projects and develop their skills in creative thinking, critical thinking, problem solving, and group interaction. Projects draw on student interests to foster motivation, independent and cooperative study, and…

Reviews the current literature to determine the extent to which affect influences the achievement levels of students. Highlights research findings in mathematics, reading, writing, and instructional strategies. Suggests that although affect may be a significant factor in determining the academic success of developmental freshmen, more research is…

Reports the results of a three-year qualitative observation study of a Japanese foreign language in the elementary school (FLES) program. The observation was analyzed from the sociocultural point of view led by Vygotsky, which treats learning through social guidance and motivation as central to an account of language development. (Author/JL)