This paper considers the processes involved as children and adults learn a new language. For the child this can mean learning his native language. One difference between learning a language in a classroom and in a "live" situation is motivation toward communication. The child learning his mother tongue is highly motivated to communicate, as are…

The article states that students seem to become less interested in learning after several years of education, and that this is due to a traditional curriculum which discourages risk-taking and rewards only the accomplishment of a limited number of skills. (CD)

Recommends using crime literature in teaching English, for its motivational value. For classroom purposes, the originals must be revised. Specific problems are discussed, and a teaching procedure outlined. The adapted text of a crime story is added as an example. (IFS/WGA)

Most students, no matter the age, tend to do better academic work if they more readily accept personal academic successes and failures or are internally controlled. Students generally not doing average or above average work academically tend to depend on blame, luck, chance, or kismet for academic performance. (Author)

Language is inseparable from its cultural context. Considered here are: aspects of culture to be learned (not just odd differences); method; use of suitable, well-balanced materials; aims - informational, communicative (for life situations), and motivational. Motivation is higher in students with favorable attitudes toward the foreign people.…

A comparison of Anglo and Navajo students' perceptions of school achievement tests revealed a cultural dichotomy concerning the significance and purpose of tests. Study results pose policy questions: Should students be enculturated into test-taking values or should testing forms be changed to reflect cultural considerations of valued knowledge?…

Several interactive videodisc lessons--Physics and Automobile Collisions, Energy Transformations Featuring the Bicycle, Studies in Motion, and Puzzle of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge Collapse--are discussed in terms of Malone's theory based on computer game analysis that challenge, curiosity, and fantasy are aspects of intrinsic motivation for…

Discusses several themes that are basic to thinking about the potential impact of technology on learning. These include learning by doing, enhancing students' abilities to play with ideas, students' mental processes of reasoning and problem solving, and motivating students to learn. (CT)

Identified entering secondary students' perceptions of their school-related problems and attitudes. Examined intervention strategies from a diagnostic prescriptive child-study team approach. Developed a comprehensive plan of action and intervention to change the outcome of students' self-defeating behaviors and to enhance the achievement and…

Presents a method that enables students to assess political cartoons and record their findings in written form. Suggests guidelines for cartoon evaluation as well as questions which help organize interpretations. Includes three political cartoons and descriptions of how they might be used in the classroom. (GEA)

Explains how the Suzuki Method introduces young Japanese children to learning situations in structured ways that develop their control of learning behavior earlier than is typical in the West. (HOD)

Examines the degree to which experiencing confusion during the acquisition of new academic material differentially affects classroom performance of helpless and mastery-oriented fifth-graders. Provides an initial test of a theoretical approach to understanding differences between male and female performances in different subject areas. (AS)

A National Assessment of Educational Progress study was conducted on students to assess the dependence of high school mathematics learning on the amount and level of course work as well as other productive factors. Achievement appears to depend on number and level of courses, traditional teaching methods, home environment, and ethnicity.…

Stresses importance of student input in field of computer-assisted language instruction. Provides an overview of student input, its recognition, and some uses of its recognition. By understanding the potential of student-computer interaction, those who are considering the computer for use in their foreign language curriculum may be able to…

Purpose: The purpose of this action research presentation is to discuss how explicit comprehension instruction can take place along with writing, in the kindergarten classroom. Methodology: This action research project took place in a suburban kindergarten with learners of diverse ability levels and ESL students as well. In this classroom small…