A preprint from a forthcoming publication of the National Conference on Research in English. (Editor/SW)

Explains how a guided independent reading program became popular with junior high school students. (SW)

Describes experimental Dynamic Systems I course at Case Western Reserve University in which students and instructors made mutual decisions on type and frequency of exams, class sub-divisions, grading, special problem and weekly evaluations through a "course council. Emphasis was placed more on learning and understanding material than on grades.…

Reviews the objectives and activities of the Center for the Improvement of Teaching and Learning (City Colleges of Chicago). Presents initial findings from studies of the characteristics of effective teachers, effects of course placement on student success, student involvement in instruction, and altering teaching methods to increase…

A collection of quotations drawn from research and opinion papers dealing with the impact of television viewing on children. Subtopics addressed are: television viewing statistics, effects of television violence, and the relationship of television to education. (JJD)

A collection of articles by seven teachers from varied backgrounds stresses the importance of teacher motivation. Flexibility, honesty, a good sense of humor, and an openness to new approaches are important motivating techniques. Practical suggestions are offered for stimulating motivation among students. (JN)

Six fourth graders learned paired associates of their choice under high and low reinforcement conditions. Equivalent lists were also studied as homework on which correct test responses were reinforced equally. The children preferred to study and learned more on the highly reinforced lists during the experimental sessions. (Author/GDC)

Ten conclusions about childrens' learning are presented from 15 years of research by the Educational Research Council of America. These include effectiveness of short textbooks, interest in learning technical words, need for social science curriculum to challenge, and detrimental effect of ingrained teacher attitudes to teach social studies by…

Results are reported for an Adult Education Research Project which attempted to resolve one of the major problems in participation studies, that of how to construct variables to represent activeness in taking educational courses which will also contain relevant information for educational planners concerning attitudes of non-participants, and will…

Motivation that arises from a genine interest in the field of study being undertaken is examined. This Australian university professor suggests that most students do not have a real zeal for academic study and offers ideas for improving that motivation in science students. (LBH)

The Involvement in Subject Learning Scale (ISLS) was developed and validated as an educational outcome measure to be used in assessing higher education quality. The origins and development of the scale, its factor analysis, potential applications, limitations, and pilot use in France and Quebec (Canada) are described. The instrument is appended.…

A study of learning conditions in two universities included staff interviews, survey of 118 students, and in-depth interviews of 11 students. Their perceptions of program design, instructional resources and support, and visual and physical aspects of the institutions resulted in recommended practices to maximize student learning and motivation.…

Describes the Super Saturday program of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. The program's objectives are to enrich elementary and middle school students' intellectual skills and to promote greater interest in and desire for learning. The program builds on students' strengths, and the courses fall into the following three categories:…

Examines the components of motivation in foreign language learning in institutional/academic settings without regular interaction with the target language community. A motivational questionnaire to define the relevance and characteristics of integration and instrumentality in foreign language learning was developed and administered to learners of…