Examined process mediating the effect of positive mood on performance of a cognitive task. Positive mood subjects performed significantly worse on a set of syllogisms than control subjects. Results are consistent with accounts arguing that people in positive moods expend less effort. (JBJ)

Accounting students (n=127) were randomly assigned one of two exams: one with multiple-choice items in an order corresponding to the sequence of class coverage of the topics, the other in random order. No differences appeared in test scores or time of completion. (SK)

Presents a composite picture of doctoral programs in schools of library and information science that updates and supplements two earlier studies of doctoral programs. Highlights include levels attained on admissions criteria, time taken to complete the program, methods of choosing doctoral committees, and positions held by graduates of doctoral…

This study assessed whether self-monitoring of on-task behavior would increase time on task and rates of prevocational task production for 3 students (ages 10, 10, and 9), with moderate mental retardation in a school setting. Results showed overall improvements on both variables. (Author/DB)

In 1983, "A Nation at Risk" made policy recommendations in leadership and fiscal support; standards and expectations; and content, teaching, and use of classroom time and stressed importance of continuous learning and excellence for all students. Symptoms of education's low status remain prevalent--from inadequate student motivation and…

Examines effects of adaptive instruction on results of 456 children in the first year of reading instruction at 23 Dutch primary schools. Teachers in the experimental group show significantly higher adaptive instructional behaviors (optimizing time on task and using direct instruction and phonics methods) than control-group teachers. (59…

To improve homework quality in the classroom, teachers should clear up homework fogginess and use strategies for success, including creating goal-directed assignments, balancing homework, allowing time to finish assignments, viewing homework-assignment time as part of the learning process, helping students organize their homework, and helping…

Examines procrastination by college students (30 women, 7 men) of academic and nonacademic tasks at beginning and end of semester. Analysis found that procrastinated tasks early in the term were more effortful and anxiety provoking than other tasks during the term. Results imply that academic and nonacademic tasks should be challenging, yet fun,…

Three middle school students with mild/moderate mental retardation utilized three self-management interventions varying in amount of external assistance to increase time-on-task behaviors. Although the more externally assisted procedures resulted in the greatest improvement, the less intrusive procedures produced only slightly reduced effect,…

Focuses on children's daily experiences as an important component of assessing the quality of child care programs. Discusses the importance of individual and group engagement to better understand the quality classroom environments and keep track of improvements over time. Presents the Engagement Check II as a measure of group engagement and…

Describes several ways principals can successfully align state standards with the school curriculum. (PKP)

This study investigated students' allocation of responding as a function of task difficulty and type of reinforcement contingency (i.e., accuracy based or time based). Four regular education fourth-grade students were presented with two identical stacks of easy and then difficult math worksheets using a reversal design. Regardless of condition,…

Students participate more in a classroom and also report a better understanding of course concepts when steps are taken to actively engage them. The Student Engagement (SE) Survey was developed and used in this study for measuring student engagement at the class level and consisted of 14 questions adapted from the original National Survey of…

This paper attempts to identify and address the assumptions that have been made about the engagement of learners in online learning environments. Research studies have shown that learner engagement is paramount to learning success (Herrington, Oliver, & Reeves, 2003). Defined here as the "the mobilization of cognitive, affective and motivational…

In this article, the authors discuss the advantages of block scheduling and how it can be an effective educational tool when faced with educational challenges. Block schedules can ease the transition from the homelike atmosphere of the elementary school to the departmentalized environment of the high school by reducing the need for constant class…