This article discusses college-level writing assignments designed to stimulate students to (1) explore initial student attitudes, (2) activate prior knowledge, (3) increase subject relevance, (4) clarify and organize course material, (5) connect new and previously known material, (6) improve critical thinking skills, and (7) develop and strengthen…

Describes the impact of the introduction of National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) in the United Kingdom on the field of child care and education. Explains the structure of NVQs; how to get an NVQ accreditation; Child Care and Education NVQs; the NVQ assessment process; the roles of assessors and verifiers; how the NVQ system works; and the…

During a practicum teaching experience, preservice English-as-a-Second-Language teachers provided narrative statements on their beliefs about second-language teachers and teaching, teaching intentions, and perceptions of instructional practice. Images from prior experiences within formal language classrooms significantly affected teachers' images…

Reports a study of the different sources of influence on educational beliefs and values of teacher candidates during initial professional socialization experiences. Surveys and interviews with teacher candidates and educators in 29 teacher training institutions indicated student teaching and cooperating teachers were the most important influences.…

A perspective on teaching and learning in higher education that regards the learner's experience as primary is outlined. Some propositions about learning from experience are made, a model of learning from experience is discussed, and implications for instructional design are examined. Major areas for curriculum development are identified.…

Describes study of English education undergraduates at West Virginia University that measured attitudes toward and perceived uses of computers before and after a course on computers and writing. Prior computer experience, computer anxiety, and concerns about computers are examined, and pretreatment and posttreatment results are compared. (16…

This study of college students examined the effects of motivation to learn to use computers, and previous experience with computers, on three computer-related affective states: anxiety, attitudes, and self-efficacy. Discusses gender differences, path analysis, effects on academic performance, and intrinsic versus extrinsic reasons for taking the…

Presents student teachers' reactions to a mathematics and science methods class redesigned to challenge their beliefs regarding the nature of mathematics, themselves as learners, and teaching-learning processes. Student interviews, journal writings, mathematics autobiographies, exams, and class writings indicated that many students increased their…

This experimental study explored whether, and to what extent, differences in gender and experience with word processing affect how students perceive their classroom environment in high school writing classes. Treatment of experimental and control groups is described, and the classroom environment questionnaire for the experimental…

Discusses how language teacher education has shifted to constructivist, process-oriented theories of learning; the idea that teacher education programs have failed to prepare teachers for the classroom; the importance of teachers' prior experiences; and the concern that teaching be viewed as a profession where teachers have an active role in…

Agricultural development programs often produce unexpected results. This can be attributed to the fact that the target-farmers already have their own knowledge and competencies which, in turn, determine their practices. In order to be adopted, an innovation has first to be discussed, and then appropriated by a local group of farmers in their…

Integrating funds of knowledge--the resources, processes, and strategies attached to family and community proficiencies--has widely been accepted as a worthwhile pedagogical intervention. In this article, we argue that two of the primary assumptions underlying such interventions have yet to be explored. First, because funds of knowledge are…

We examined direct and interaction effects of learners' characteristics (cognitive ability, prior knowledge, prior experience, and motivation to learn) and classroom characteristics (videoconferencing and class size) on learning from a 16-week course. A 2x2 quasi-experimental design varied the class size between large (approximately 60 students)…

The aims of this study were considered under three headings. The first was to elicit misconceptions that students had about the terms "solute", "solvent" and "solution." The second was to understand how students' prior learning affected their misconceptions. The third was to determine if students were able to make a…

This articles describes a qualitative research project investigating the effects of participation by preservice teachers in a literacy tutorial early intervention program that was based on a constructivist model utilizing self-reflection and inquiry. Seven recurring themes emerged from the data analysis providing little evidence of growth in…