It is a major commitment to undertake doctoral study but relatively little is known about what motivates students to enrol or what they subsequently see as the benefits they have gained and they costs accrued. This report on a study of alumni who completed theses in Education in 1992, 1997 and 2002 in the UK argues that although the doctorate…

The importance of new business start-ups cannot be over-emphasised. The UK government has taken actions designed to stimulate the growth of new businesses and aid their survival. The identification of barriers to entry is important, together with strategies to minimise their impact. The UK continues to lag behind the USA in its levels of…

In this article, the author describes a way of motivating learners to solve and reflect upon mathematical problems. The author wanted to find ways to help the Y6 class with their KS2 SATs, but more importantly she wanted to develop their interest and skills in solving mathematical challenges. She spent some time working on the idea of a "…

Pupils' motivation and interest are identified as important influences on learning. Motivational orientation is a construct that links motivation and epistemology. This study attempted to explore motivational orientation as it relates to science education and two different instructional approaches. A published instrument standardized with a…

Background: Two goal perspectives predominate in achievement settings such as physical education (PE), namely task involvement, focused on self-referenced effort and improvement, and ego involvement, focused on normative ability comparisons. A task (mastery) involving motivational climate is associated with adaptive motivational responses, whereas…

Cognitive Acceleration through Science Education (CASE) is an intervention programme conducted during Years 7 and 8 in the United Kingdom (aged 11-13 years), which has reported remarkable success in enhancing cognitive development and in raising academic achievement. Critics, however, have questioned whether a purely cognitive mechanism can…

A program providing study support to underachieving youth using British football as a motivator was evaluated by comparing 1,247 participants and 244 controls. The program helped raise achievement and seemed equally effective for males and females. There was no evidence that the sports emphasis marginalized girls or ethnic minorities. (Contains 25…

Compares United Kingdom college students with dyslexia and those with no reported disabilities in terms of demographic properties, programmes of study and academic attainment. Finds that students with dyslexia were more likely to withdraw during their first year of study and were less likely to complete their programmes of study, although with…

Assessments of 50 British high school students before and after design and technology (D&T) instruction indicated that only 20% were motivated by D&T project work for their General Certificate of Secondary Education. A positive relationship was found between ability to perform and motivation, but no relationship between creativity and…

The mature students' three R's framework was formulated from a study investigating mature students' experience of higher education: motivations, expectations, and outcomes. The study was based on new paradigm research methods. The three R's framework is of interest to, and useful for, advisers and counselors working with adults in the process of…

Describes an educational development project that was designed in the United Kingdom to encourage staff in research-led universities to use learning technologies in their teaching. Highlights include the link between research and teaching; adoptive versus adaptive learning; motivating students; and technology-enhanced learning. (Author/LRW)

The Faulkes Telescope Project and its educational aims are briefly summarised. Research to evaluate its impact in inspiring excitement and interest among students is described. The Faulkes Telescope in Hawaii was used to provide images for assessed coursework based on two of the Faulkes "education/research" projects on galaxies.…

There is a great need for professionals trained to work in the field of nanotechnology, particularly in food and agriculture. However, the general public knows very little about nanotechnology; therefore, few students entering college seek out educational opportunities that will lead to careers with a focus on nanotechnology. This study was…

Outputs from a computerised touch pad turnstile security system that recorded business students' entries into and exits from a university's buildings revealed that a significant number of the institution's first-year intake withdrew from their (business) degree programmes within a few weeks of enrolment. Accordingly, a sample of these "early…

This qualitative study examines perceptions and use of assignment feedback among adult beginner modern foreign language learners on higher education distance learning courses. A survey of responses to feedback on assignments by 43 Open University students on beginner language courses in Spanish, French, and German indicated that respondents can be…