Describes how the "Iliad" can be taught effectively as a soap opera. (MM)

Activities designed to acquaint students with the library media center are listed: find examples of fractions; estimate the total number of books; find information on a topic; pick favorite leads; locate the most and least popular books; find animal heroes; discover answers to questions; redesign the library; select a book for a secret partner;…

The quality of marriage and family life depends on the quality of the relationship between the adult partners, who create the emotional environment. A marriage education program based on adult learning principles should be a continuing process reaching into each developmental stage of the family life cycle. (SK)

Describes how an understanding of "engagement" can be applied to multimedia systems design and can support learning goals and motivation. Provides examples of engaging interactions, suggests methodologies for evaluating their impact on the learner, and offers practical hints for incorporating them into multimedia system design.…

In a comparable case-study approach, 174 adults answered open-ended questions identifying that (1) degree of self-directed learning was not age related; (2) some emphasized mutual responsibility for learning; (3) learning experiences were largely problem centered; and (4) experience was integral to their learning. (SK)

Some of the cognitive and affective factors influencing second language reading comprehension are reviewed, and an instructional technique designed to both guide the reading process and develop comprehension at several levels is described. Teachers are urged to develop process-oriented reading comprehension activities in collaboration with…

The motivation/immersion model of literacy centers on the individual and isolates literacy from context. A community development approach regards literacy as a function of social structure; based on this model, literacy education programs are respectful of the culture and idiom of the community. (SK)

Predictive validity of Education Participation Scale Alternative form was demonstrated by relating interview data and estimates to actual scores. Responses from 845 North American and Asian adults entered into discriminant function equations successfully classified 60 percent by gender, 25 percent by age, and 65 percent by ethnicity. Soundness of…

Discusses and reviews learner control research and presents three theoretical bases to help provide a framework for past research as well as to assist in designing future studies: (1) motivation, (2) attribution, and (3) information processing. Three types of learner control are discussed in relation to the theoretical perspectives: pacing,…

Describes the formative use of poster presentations in a nursing-education program. Discusses the use of poster presentation as a successful assessment strategy and a motivating experience for students and teachers. (Author/WRM)

Students' needs and research on learning should inform teaching practices. Makes suggestions for improving instruction such as using students as ombudspersons to provide feedback on class concerns, focusing on process skills, and incorporating problem-based learning into the curriculum. Also includes examples of successful programs and summaries…

Discusses the challenges of learning American Sign Language (ASL) for hearing individuals, including social-dominance patterns and attitude, grammatical differences, cultural differences, and motivation. Posits that learning ASL should be approached with respect and with the knowledge that mastery only occurs over a substantial period of time. (CR)

Suggests a new approach to teaching about biochemical cellular processes by stimulating student interest in those biochemical processes that allowed for the outcomes of modern biotechnologies. Discusses the development of students' ability to ask meaningful questions about intra-cellular processes, and the resulting meaningful learning of relevant…

About half of regular secondary students make no consistent effort to learn. Intrinsic appeals are applicable to any lesson in any subject at any level. These include novelty, anticipation, security, challenge, completion (of logically connected project segments), application of learned skills, feedback, identification (via possession, belonging,…

Examines the relationships between student characteristics, student use of computers and other information technologies (C&IT), the amount of effort devoted to college activities, and self-reported gains in a range of college outcomes. Results reveal that students appear to benefit more from C&IT when used frequently and in a variety of…