Differences in the mastery motivation levels and approval needs of children, ages four and eight, were investigated. Two groups of 32 children each worked on puzzle tasks in one of two conditions: (1) verbal reinforcement or (2) nonreinforcement. Younger children needed more reinforcement than older children. (Author/BS)

Seventeen pairs of learning disabled (LD) and normal elementary school students were observed to determine instructional and responding times. While the time allocated to activities and tasks did not differ for the two groups, LD students received more individual instruction and teacher approval than did non-LD students. (Author/SW)

Examines modification of mother-child instruction as a function of age of learner in middle childhood (six versus eight years). Instruction and learning were compared on two tasks designed to simulate school and home activities. Results show more intense instruction of all kinds for the younger children in the school task. (RH)

Presents a case study of a seven year old boy treated with Multimodal Behavior Therapy (MMBT). The intervention package was built around intervention in the classroom, treatment contracting, and comprehensive needs assessment. The youngster's on-task behavior increased to the goal level by the end of treatment. (JAC)

"Focus on Basics" is the quarterly publication of the National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy. It presents best practices, current research on adult learning and literacy, and how research is used by adult basic education teachers, counselors, program administrators, and policymakers. "Focus on Basics" is…

This study examined the impact of smaller class size on elementary student achievement, focusing on types of instructional strategies utilized, student time on task, academic focus of the classroom, and types of interactions between teachers and students and between students and students. Two long-term class size reduction sites in North Carolina…

The effects of self-assessment and self-recording were compared as treatments for increasing on-task behavior and academic productivity of elementary school learning disabled students (9-10 years old). Self- recording appears to be a more effective procedure than self-assessment for increasing attention to task. (Author/SEW)

Reports research on computer assisted instruction (CAI) which has attempted to understand why CAI often accomplishes learning goals in less time and describes the "Beginning Teacher Evaluation Study" which investigated the way students use their time, actual time-on-task, and quality of student involvement with subject content. (EAO)

The effects of a simple timeout procedure on the eye gouging and head wagging behavior of a totally blind, seven-year-old child were studied. Parent and staff reports suggested that the reduction in manneristic behaviors was associated with the emergence of more acceptable and age appropriate social behavior. (SEW)

Fifteen third-grade students learned LOGO during the school year. The group who received one hour per week of individual computer time (separate from in-class instruction) did significantly better on a conditional rule-learning task than did students who received one-half hour per week of individual computer time. (GC)

Notes that researchers have generated multiple theories as to why students learn to read better when they tutor others. Surveys several options, then concludes that the answer may lie in the amount of time spent on task in tutoring. (FL)

Discusses the problems and inconsistencies of teacher behavior research and the progress made in relating teacher behavior to classroom outcomes. (WD)

The Learning for Mastery approach is clearly more effective than traditional instruction, but individualized programs are better than group-based ones. Students master more objectives with mastery learning because their level of participation is higher. (Author)

A study evaluated the effects of three active responding techniques (i.e., hand raising, choral responding, the response card) on students participation and on-task behavior in five preschoolers with attending problems. The response card technique was consistently more efficient for all five children across all dependent measures. (Contains…

Presents a study focusing on the effect of a self-management intervention. Included self-recording and goal setting for the behavior of eight-year-old boys attending a large suburban primary school. Suggests that the intervention was socially valid and cost effective. Includes references. (CMK)