Examines the role of playgrounds that use discarded items or "junk" as an integral part of kindergarten classes in an Israeli kibbutz. Suggests that play in the junkyard, by including the whole person--muscles and senses, emotion and intellect, individual growth and social interaction--can offer the experiential foundations on which…

Responses (N=467) of speech language pathologists to a questionnaire were examined to determine factors affecting computer use by public school speech-language pathologists. The primary factors identified were grouped into three categories: motivation, training, and opportunity. Integration of the computer into clinical services should…

Outlines training suggestions for college volunteers in fund-raising phonathons: presenting the basics (nature of charitable giving, fund-raising on their campus, the annual fund, and specific reasons for soliciting); using role-playing as a training technique; monitoring and retraining as needed; and keeping volunteers motivated. Use of…

Describes monthly reports that were developed by middle school librarians to keep school administrators aware of the library's role in students' education. Categories in the reports include curriculum connection, committee and school involvement, reading incentives and public relations projects, special projects, and vital statistics. (LRW)

Motivational influences on help-seeking behavior in mathematics were studied with 203 seventh and eighth graders. Perceived benefits and threats were important influences on avoidance of help-seeking behavior, but only benefits predicted adaptive help seeking. Social competence had an indirect effect on avoidance of help seeking. (SLD)

Ethnic and gender differences in motivation to manage were studied through sentence completion tests and in-basket exercises completed by 138 White, 9 American Indian, 28 Black, 64 Hispanic, 44 Asian, and 5 "other" college students. Both types of differences were found. Implications for identification of management talent are discussed. (SLD)

Focuses on performance, processes, and attitudes of 19 kindergarten students who participated in a semester of process writing and instructional activities, asking whether kindergartners can effectively engage in a writing workshop on a sustained basis. Indicates process writing instruction allowed students to show appreciable, measurable gains in…

Describes a study conducted at the University of Manitoba (Canada) that investigated the magnitude and nature of demographic changes in distance-education students. Results indicate that the independent-study population has shifted toward younger students, local residence, and full-time course loads that combine independent study with on-campus…

Former New York governor Mario Cuomo discusses the inequities of public schooling, the trend toward charter schools, and the importance of making education a national priority. Richard Lewis, founder and director of the Touchstone Center (New York City), discusses children's literature, the intrinsic motivation that children have for learning, and…

To study gender and cohort differences, surveys of male and female preservice elementary and preschool teacher education majors (N=326) examined vocational choice, factors influencing their decision, comfort with that decision, and professional aspirations. Results indicated that males and females were similar in their reasons for selecting…

Dr. Eber Hampton, president of Saskatchewan Indian Federated College (Canada), briefly discusses his views on the development of a First Nations graduate education program and relates the culture conflict he experienced in furthering his own education and conducting graduate-level research. Suggests that the researcher's personal experiences…

Examines the constructivist theory of knowledge which basically proposes that knowledge is constructed in the mind of the learner. Particular emphasis is placed on how a shift can be made from someone who teaches to someone who facilitates learning in a classroom environment in which the students are active participants in the learning process.…

A study examining causes of work avoidance interviewed 20 work-avoidant students in grades 6 and 7 from 3 schools in Newfoundland (Canada). Students withdrew effort because they were bored, as an expression of hostility toward the teacher, or because of feelings of helplessness. Implications for teacher practice and school policies are discussed.…

Discussion of computer mediated communication for interactive learning focuses on a study of social science students conducted at Southern Cross University (Australia) that investigated students' perceptions of the importance of online discussion. Topics include social cohesion; social constructivism; benchmarking; student motivation and…

A survey examined environmental and social factors influencing student motivation among 206 American Indian college students. Students preferred teacher-structured environments involving feedback, active roles, and media use. Students felt they must compete for rewards, which contradicts cultural behaviors. Motivational factors specific to…