Preparation for university study and integration into the workforce is the academic goal in the final years of secondary education. This preparedness can only be achieved through the motivation and involvement of students in secondary education programs which will lead to successful outcomes. "Engaging Adolescent Students in Contemporary…

This article describes a case study of a group of ten 14-year-old students who engaged with an online extended-learning project as an extracurricular activity for about 6 months. The students were physically located in Australia, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom. The facilitation and online learning made use of a progressive pedagogy that moved…

Background: This study seeks to examine a multidimensional model of student motivation and engagement using within- and between-network construct validation approaches. Aims: The study tests the first- and higher-order factor structure of the motivation and engagement wheel and its corresponding measurement tool, the Motivation and Engagement…

Whenever a class begins to study a new part of the world, teachers must deal with students' preexisting ideas about the area. Activities which will challenge elementary students' initial impressions of Australia and encourage them to learn more about the country are described. (RM)

Presents the concept of using posters that deliver their message in a cartoon format and language aimed at engaging the attention of secondary school students to promote awareness of the relevance of physics and generate enthusiasm for physics among students. Provides information for ordering the posters. (JRH)

Discusses a study of the effects of a schoolwide behavior management program on Australian elementary school teachers' use of encouragement. Concludes that, although teacher encouragement of students increased during the program, encouragement levels reduced following the intervention's withdrawal. Calls for further research into the effects of…

Out of 92 New South Wales pupils identified as talented in primary schools, 3 left school before the end of year 11, and 15 failed to place in the top 25 percent on Australian Higher School Certificate tests. Affective patterns leading to inappropriate study habits and lack of motivation were gleaned from questionnaire responses. (Author/PB)

This paper reviews transition education initiatives that were undertaken in three Australian states (Western Australia, South Australia, and Victoria) for the purpose of assessing the extent to which local projects reflected national policy objectives. Case studies for each of the three states are presented and the impacts of the transition…

Five articles on higher education in Australia and New Zealand are presented, along with two review articles. "Australian Higher Education Research and Society. Part I: Post-War Reconstruction and Expansion, 1940-1965" (D. S. Anderson and E. Eton) is a review of research on higher education in Australia and New Zealand since World War…

In a response to lower test scores in science and mathematics in Australia, the Western Australian Institute of Technology conducted a study to identify high quality science and mathematics teachers in Western Australian schools. This paper describes the teaching practices of one male and one female teacher of biology from two different schools.…

Presents study results examining the effectiveness of teacher praise on children's on-task behavior. Describes Canter's Assertive Discipline, its use in Australia, and the basics of a study of the technique. Reports that all teacher subjects increased rates of praising following training, and all but one student improved levels of behavior.…

Reports on a study of 323 Nigerian secondary students to determine what relationship exists between preferred and actual classroom environments and their approaches to learning science. Finds that Nigerian students prefer more teacher control, a less competitive atmosphere, and less emphasis on student friendships. (CFR)

The handbook of classroom techniques and activities is designed for teachers in postsecondary institutions who have adult students for whom English is a second language. The underlying philosophy is that the learning experience of these students is not extremely different from those of native English-speaking students, and that their needs and…

A study in 12 New South Wales (Australia) high schools investigated differences in motivation for Aboriginal (n=496), migrant (n=487), and Anglo (n=1172) students. A consistent picture of the urban Aboriginal child emerged, and key variables in his decision making (self-reliance, confidence, and goal direction) were identified as well as…