This study confirmed the hypothesis that the Junior Index of Motivation Scale successfully differentiates between college bound and noncollege bound junior high school students. (RC)

Author examined ways of including music in adult education programs. He referred to working with adult beginners as a "new frontier" for the profession. (Editor/RK)

As a supplement to the available games for use in teaching, two writing games are presented, with suggestions for their use. They are recommended as a motivating device. A list of pertinent works on the subject is also provided. (IFS/WGA)

Discusses what is known about the learning process, particularly adult learning, and ways in which adults participating in educational activities differ from young people attending school. (EM)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent and some of the characteristics of learning by high school drop-outs. Subjects were 70 men and 71 women who were resident in the Borough of North York. (Author)

In this interview, James Block explains the model of mastery learning, developed by himself and B. Bloom, according to which individual differences in academic ability are lessened by appropriate teaching methods. (GW)

This article discusses different sources of motivation in language learning, and the categories of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Given this variety, the language teacher cannot accept full responsibility for student motivation, but must take on a major portion of the task. (CHK)

The in-service teacher workshop described here offers solid, practical training at your pace. No need to stay after school, no need to pay a fee. Just read Instructor's professors-in-print each month, carry out the assignments at the end of each article, and send them to the authors for review. (Editor/RK)

Describes one of the more successful means of enhancing the grading procedure, i.e, the Personalized Achievement Reporting program, which specifies learning activities, experiences, achievements, and degree of student progress through written statements rather than artificial or contrived symbols of learning. (Author/RK)

Synthesizes the conclusions drawn from a literature review on principles for motivating students to learn. Outlines numerous pointers for creating essential learning preconditions and for motivating, including maintaining high expectations, supplying extrinsic incentives, and capitalizing on students' intrinsic motivation. Provides strategies for…

Good grades on a report card do not necessarily mean the material has been comprehended. This article examines the relative worth of grades; extra credit assignments; categorizing students into A, B, or C boxes; and the role of parental pressures for higher grades. Grading systems should be subordinate to true learning motivation. (MLH)

The study examined effects of task-sequencing variables on the academic performance of an 8-year-old severe stroke victim. Previously acquired (maintenance) task trials were systematically interspersed among new (acquisition) task trials. Results showed improvements in both academic responding and subjective ratings of motivation in spelling,…

Starting with H.W. Seliger's distinction between second language learning strategies (abstract cognitive functions used to acquire knowledge) and learning tactics (activities learner uses to acquire language), presents the most important tactics and comments on which learner characteristics and teaching methods take advantage of them. Tactics…

The Academic Team (A Team) program at Plano (Texas) Senior High School provides academic enrichment for talented students in grades 9-12. Outstanding A Team students are recognized with trophies and scholarships. The school district and the high school have found the program an excellent means of encouraging academic achievement. (MCG)

Describes a visit made to Sweden to ascertain why Swedish citizens speak such excellent English. Motivation was a key factor. Describes observations of the methods of teaching English as a second language in Swedish schools. Makes recommendations for foreign language teaching in Great Britain based on these observations. (SED)