Recent research in cognition and motivation offers practical applications to help underachieving students perform more effectively in college. Teachers can help students learn to process information better, encourage them to be active learners and be better organized, assist them in coping with anxiety, and change course structure to change…

One hundred and seventy-nine first to fourth graders who had experienced one or more of six health problems were judged by classroom teachers to have more serious school adjustment problems and fewer school competencies than a demographically matched peer group of 710 youngsters who had not experienced such problems. (Author)

Introduces the range of computer software currently available to aid in developing children's basic skills in reading, including programs for reading readiness, word recognition, vocabulary development, reading comprehension, and learning motivation. Additional information on software and computer use is provided in sidebars by Gwen Solomon and…

A study of age and time differences in motivation for learning French and in attitudes toward French instruction found attitude variation decreasing with time, and found rural and suburban students' attitudes linked most to the learning situation while urban students' motivation was rooted in desire to communicate in French. (MSE)

Observation indicates that affect is experienced prior to organized thought. After five months emotional responses are increasingly differentiated and independent of physical state. All childhood learning is propelled by affect. Adults who work with children must recognize their emotions to facilitate their acquisition of skills and knowledge.…

Describes a study of the effects on second language attrition of attitudes, motivations, and reported language use by learners during a six-month period after the completion of an intensive French course. (SED)

The results of this issue's series of articles are summarized, and implications for theory, research, and practice are discussed. Initial academic achievement was the strongest predictor of student achievement. The impact of attentiveness, motivation, student background, sex, and time on task were also described. (GDC)

Adapting teaching materials and strategies to the learning preferences of each child can make a difference in how well and how much students learn. Steps in introducing strategies based on learning styles into an elementary school are described, and recommendations are provided for initiating a learning styles program. (TE)

This study examined the factors that best predict which elementary school children will transfer out of a French immersion program. Learner characteristics, teacher and parent evaluations, and family background were examined. Analyses suggest that attitudinal and motivational factors are of primary importance to the continuation of second-language…

Eight steps of the skill training process and 10 rules of learning psychology are discussed as techniques for increasing training effectiveness. The eight steps are: include preevaluate, plan, prepare, present, perform, practice, evaluate performance, and follow up. The 10 rules concern motivation, use of the senses, receptivity, association,…

Examines the cognitive, academic, social psychological, and linguistic consequences of transferring poor achieving English-speaking students out of French immersion programs. Data suggest that the child's basic cognitive and affective characteristics rather than factors associated with language of instruction influence academic achievement, as…

To better appreciate the role computer-assisted video instruction serves in education, this article examines the major features of the individual component technologies--computer assisted instruction, film, videotape, and videodisc; discusses potential effects and pitfalls of computer-assisted video instruction; and reviews research on its…

Compares and contrasts distance education and face-to-face education in terms of selected psychological dimensions, i.e., organization and learning, motivation, learning and communication processes, didactic activities and materials, and evaluation and feedback. Psychological aspects of distance education that may be favorable to learning are also…

Ten working guidelines for use in developing educational software programs present standards evolved by one courseware producer for program content, learner motivation, the learning environment, educational objectives, field testing, learner control of the learning experience, monitoring and reviewing learner's activities, documentation, accuracy…

Reviews general principles of adult learning; describes nature of the adult learner as suggested by the current literature; provides suggestions for the design of learning programs for adults; and reviews the implications of accepting ideas about motivation derived from adult learning theories for colleges and staff engaged in correspondence…