The various motivations for individuals entering and remaining in the teaching profession are described. The extent of teacher commitment by sex, age, and grade level taught, and advantages and disadvantages of teaching are discussed, and factors relating to job satisfaction are explored. (JN)

Reviews science education research in grades 6-12 related to the constructs of student motivation, home or family environment, and peer-group environment. Science education literature (1964-1979) from several sources was examined and correlations made between construct variables and science learning. (CS)

The article discusses the provision of appropiate services to exceptional minority children. The identification of exceptional minority children is reviewed, and some suggestions are made for fostering the determination of relevant issues. (DLS)

This article discusses the writing problems of children with disabilities and the hallmarks of effective writing strategy instruction. Potential obstacles to strategy generalization are presented, followed by effective interventions, including: explicit modeling and practice of writing strategies, training self-regulatory behaviors, communicating…

Reviews definitions of caring and describes a model of a caring professor, outlining the benefits, limitations, and other consequences of this approach to teaching. Argues that caring encourages student growth and learning and creates a safe environment for risk-taking. Provides suggestions for creating supportive postsecondary classroom…

This article discusses differentiating social studies curricula and instruction for gifted students. It explains the following variables of differentiation: open-ended structure, development and presentation of separate lessons rather than units, the teaching of universal social studies concepts, motivational segments, and use of appropriate…

A review of research on college student motivation and its relationship to learning looks at popular views of motivation, extrinsic vs. intrinsic motivation, the effects of extrinsic rewards, similarities to learning orientation and grading orientation, evaluation methods, and the power structure in the classroom. (MSE)

A philosophical and historical reflection on the values of learning a second language explores the stages of language acquisition. Language fluency, second language instruction, and the Western cultural traditions associated with learning a second language are discussed. (CB)

Research suggests mature college students use more desirable approaches to academic learning, adopting a deep approach (meaning orientation) more often and a surface approach less often than younger students. Explanations include motivation by intrinsic goals; acquisition of a surface approach by younger students in secondary education; and…

Discusses the role of computer-mediated communication (CMC) in distance education and presents a classification of potential applications of CMC for student support in distance education based on a review of international research. Possible uses of CMC are suggested in the areas of instructional materials, tutoring, peer interactions, and…

Discussion of learning motivation and the influence of culture on it reviews recent literature, explores differences between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, gives an overview of the motivational framework, and makes suggestions for planning lessons to elicit intrinsic motivation among culturally diverse students. The model's purpose is to…

The results of a series of empirical studies on perfectionism in the gifted are reviewed. Contrary to common beliefs, results indicate that perfectionism is not greater in the gifted and that striving for perfection is more likely to stimulate healthy achievement needs than to be associated with personal or academic maladjustment. (Contains…

Tests the hypothesis that personalized messages in a multimedia science lesson can promote deep learning by actively engaging students in the elaboration of the materials and reducing processing load. Instructional messages were presented in either a personalized style or a neutral style. Results reveal that personalized messages produced better…

A model for understanding the interplay between student-reported teacher behaviors, student self-systems, and student engagement was tested. African American students (N=117) completed a comprehensive questionnaire regarding teacher context, self, and engagement variables. Student self-system variables mediated relations between teacher context,…

Self-regulation refers to the process whereby students activate and sustain cognitions, behaviors, and affects, which are systematically oriented toward attainment of goals. Effective self-regulation requires that students have goals and the motivation to attain them, and make attributions (beliefs about the causes of outcomes) that enhance…