Directed motivational currents (DMCs) are goal-directed motivational surges in pursuit of a much-desired personal outcome. This book introduces the reader to cutting-edge theory and research in second language learner motivation and presents empirical research which investigates DMCs in the context of language learning. The studies explore the…

This study was conducted with 11 Latina/o college students in order to provide insight into how these students develop a sense of resilience. Five factors from J. H. McMillan and D. F. Reed's (1994) concept of resiliency appeared to play an important role in these students' high academic achievement: high educational goals, support and…

The present study explores the relationship between students' perception of their institution's mission identity, personal goal orientation tendencies, and the extent to which they engage in mission-driven activities. Goal orientation research categorizes student motivations in three ways: mastery orientation (MO), performance-approach (PAp)…

A high school student who won $74,000 in scholarships offers her peers five guidelines for finding, competing for, and winning college scholarships, including taking challenging courses; being involved in school and community activities; and having application essays proofread and critiqued. Thirteen scholarship programs in the areas of social…

Faced on a daily basis with at-risk students, special education students, and general education students who lack focus and direction, teachers can too easily focus only on pathology and risk factors rather than on strategies to help students. Teaching goal setting is a clearly defined method for redirecting the teaching patterns to guide students…

Research findings indicate that many students fail to benefit from academic support services and courses. The paper discusses reasons why some students resist changing their academic behaviors and links the reasons to learning and motivation variables. The explanations for failure to change include: (1) students believe they can't change; (2)…

This study uses the foreign language classroom to examine students' beliefs about learning, perceptions of goal attainment, and motivation to continue language study. Survey and interview results indicated students' attributions for success and failure and their expectations for certain subjects' learnability played a role in the relationship…

Provides an outline for planning and writing a geography dissertation. Addresses such fundamental concerns as selecting a topic, research methodologies, funding, and advisors. Recommends a variety of simple yet effective planning and implementation tips. (MJP)

This handbook for those involved in assisting and encouraging college students to persist and graduate covers the following topics: benefits of college; persistence factors; successful students; a mission that motivates; results in real time; self-management through self-mastery (time management, assertiveness, study skills, learning styles, and…