Discusses the abundance of electronic equipment available for use in second-language instruction in contrast to the shortage of courseware available. The lack of courseware is attributed to teacher resistance to and fear of technology and the lack of institutional support for teachers to design courseware. (LMO)

Ways to teach three types of interviewing skills are described, including giving information to patients, handling emotions on the part of patients, and motivating patients. The students showed significant increases in their interviewing skills, but did not change significantly in self-assessment of their level of confidence. (Author/MLW)

Suggests that the European perspective on adult second language learning provides important background information for adapting such instruction for American adults. Factors discussed include: adults' specific learning biographies; motivation; learning styles; individual differences; teacher-student partnerships; language skill development and…

Reviews the research on the effectiveness of five thinking skills training programs: Instrumental Enrichment, Philosophy for Children, Structure-of-Intellect (SOI), Problem Solving and Comprehension: A Short Course in Analytical Reasoning, and Odyssey. Compares and contrasts the content of each program and describes the relative lack of adequate…

The phonology/pronunciation course of the Canadian government's advanced language training program emphasizes activities which generate student motivation and optimism in overcoming "fossilized" pronunciation (pronunciation highly resistant to change). Activities include: oral reading, feedback, recording of reading, and self-directed…

Describes ways in which story telling and reading programs can be used to develop positive attitudes toward reading in young children. (CLB)

Provides information about the curriculum characteristics of first- and third-year high school Spanish textbooks and determines what differences exist among the texts involved. Study results indicate that these textbooks are consistently "deficient" on nearly all of the dimensions examined. (Author/SED)

Provides examples of ways in which teachers can use word processors in the classroom to improve student writing, to use instructional time more productively, and to generate student interest and involvement in learning to write. (IW)

Using current technology and learning theory, computer-controlled literature programs have been and will be developed that allow children to interact with literature. This technique will help students' reading concepts fall into place more rapidly and gain the interest of those who do not respond well to traditional print media. (SRT)

Reviews research on the cognitive and affective processes engaged in by learners as they read which determine reading effectiveness and addresses implications of findings for college level study skills instruction, particularly remedial instruction of distance learners. Suggested features of a study skills program, its presentation, and program…

Taking into consideration what our founding fathers thought concerning civic education, the authors discuss what the curriculum for training civic teachers should include. Teachers should study history, social and political thought, economics, human motivation and organizational behavior, and the American experience as seen in an international…

Proposes that the creation of three pre-university education levels (vocational, practical, and pre-professional) with strictly enforced proficiency demonstrations might rekindle students' academic motivation, desire, personal responsibility, and personal pride. Suggests changes in athletic eligibility requirements which demand proficiency…

Music therapy and music education majors' perceptions of teacher approval/disapproval given to elementary students were assessed. There were significant differences between the two groups regarding the perceived use of teacher time, with music education students estimating a significantly greater amount of time devoted to approval. (Author/RM)

Explains motivation as part of the problem of discipline. Explains sage analysis and its value and pinpointing likely causes of discipline failure in the educational system. Identifies six probable causes of discipline failure as identified through sage analysis in two school districts and suggest strategies for avoiding that failure. (SB)

Urges that the impact of race on achievement motivation be reinvestigated, especially the tendency for ethnocentric beliefs in this area to lead to a culture-specific definition. Reviews the literature on comparative studies of Black and White motivation and suggests new research directions. (RDN)