Differential negative reinforcement of alternative behavior is a technique in which students can escape a portion of a task they perceive to be unpleasant by reaching a predetermined criterion. In this article, we define the negative reinforcement trap and review research on differential negative reinforcement of alternative behavior. We then…

The purpose of this article is to guide the teacher in implementing the learner-designed individual program style (LDIP) in physical education settings. The LDIP style is one of the 11 spectrum teaching styles that promote self-directed learning. The spectrum of teaching styles is a conceptual framework that helps describe and organize the…

The purpose of this publication is to provide basic information to teachers about how to help students become independent learners. Its recommendations are based on the conceptual framework known as "self-regulated learning," or SRL. Self-regulated learners have flexible knowledge and skills that enable them to manage their cognition,…

This book takes a fresh look at both context and the language learner in an attempt to shed light on the holistic and ever-changing system of the contemporary L2 speaker's language development. Drawing on complex dynamic systems theory as a means to more fully understand the holistic nature of contemporary language learning, the author attempts to…

In online and blended learning environments, students may experience learning barriers that are more pronounced than in the traditional classroom. When designing online instruction, teachers can use digital tools along with instructional strategies to reduce those barriers. Digital tools have various instructional and assistive features, which can…

We want students to master academic standards, and we want them to be confident, adaptive, and socially responsible. Above all, we want them to find meaning and satisfaction in their lives. Achieving these goals requires a concerted focus on the social-emotional skills that empower students in and beyond the classroom. In "Teaching to…

In a recent influential report by the National Research Council, the role of the laboratory was introduced as follows: "Science courses and the laboratories associated with them should cultivate the ability of students to think independently. They should provide students with exposure to realistic scientific questions and highlight those aspects…

Teachers are--rightly--exhorted to challenge children so as to help them maximise their abilities, broaden their horizons and increase their achievement. But what exactly are challenging activities? And how can teachers be sure they embed challenge in everyday school life? If teachers understand the principles of challenge they can improve…

Guidelines are offered to help teachers improve the task commitment of young gifted children as they work on independent projects. Among suggestions offered are to work with small groups of students and to foster the child's ability to work at levels beyond those normally thought possible. (CL)

Teacher intervention is often necessary to prevent independent study assignments from becoming lonely and threatening to gifted students. Active listening techniques can help teachers interpret comments that students make to gain peer acceptance or to mask their fear of failure. Students also need help planning, scheduling, and setting realistic…

The Advanced Physics Project for Independent Learning (Appil) consists of 10 units based on three themes, namely, materials, forces and fields, and waves. Discusses the content and aims of the project, its emphasis on student-centered learning, managerial advantages, characteristics of the teacher's role, resource implications, and other topics.…

This book explores the concept of academic and personal tutoring and brings together established theoretical arguments; current activities in schools and classrooms; and observations gleaned from the authors' own research. It recognizes the important role of the personal tutor in working individually with his or her students, and illuminates the…

The features and advantages of self-directed, multimedia language instruction are discussed, and the role of the language teacher in this context is examined. It is argued that the teacher can continue to play a significant, if new, role in managing the learning process. (MSE)

For one college teacher, the experience of reading "Information Literacy; Revolution in the Library" revealed a new and informative pattern in learning and teaching. This article examines information literacy and instructional development, classroom application, and student services. (Author/MSE)

A new level of learning resources is surfacing in many postsecondary institutions, taking one of three principal forms: an independent study model of one-on-one learning, computer communications via e-mail between teachers and learners, or online database searching to facilitate access to information and the use of libraries. The use of these…