Describes a study that utilized a magnitude scaling approach to determine graduate students' perceptions of the relationship of 35 instructional attribute terms to the 4 motivational conditions from Keller's ARCS (Attention, Relevance, Confidence, Satisfaction) Model of Motivational Design. (29 references) (LRW)

Considers three main components of self-directed learning: (1) topic knowledge; (2) procedural skills; and (3) self-monitoring. The role of computer-assisted instruction in autonomous learning is discussed, software that fosters independent problem solving is reviewed, and it is recommended that computers be incorporated in courses emphasizing…

Literature on social responsibility and academic achievement is reviewed. It is suggested that socially responsible behavior can influence achievement by (1) promoting positive interactions with teachers and peers; and (2) constraining and enhancing the learning process by encouraging students to be compliant and responsible. (SLD)

Examines the problem of high attrition rates after the introductory compulsory year for students studying languages other than English (LOTEs) in Australian high schools. A quantitative study is described that determined students' intentions to continue with language studies in the following year. Implications for LOTE teaching are discussed. (51…

Review of experimental evidence concerning the effectiveness of problem-based learning suggests that the approach may not improve content-free problem solving; may initially reduce learning levels but fosters long-term retention; may enhance transfer of concepts and integration of concepts into clinical problems; enhances intrinsic interest of…

Research and theory suggest that college students' motivation to learn is related to their epistemological beliefs. Faculty can promote student motivation by designing learning activities that facilitate student development of more sophisticated epistemological beliefs. Faculty developers can assist in this by giving special attention to the…

Reviews research about the effects of multiage grouping particularly focusing on the differences in achievement and attitudes between students in multiage and single-grade classes and the implications of those differences. Maintains that the value of multiage instruction rests in its ability to foster positive self-esteem and enhance student…

In this article different views of the nature of perfectionism in gifted students are discussed. Three experts in the field of giftedness address their previous articles and findings on perfectionism and debate whether "healthy" perfectionism can exist in gifted students. (CR)

Examines the relationship of perfectionism with measures of achievement and achievement motivation and mental health aspects of depression and self-esteem in high school students (N=123). Results indicate that students' personal standards were significant predictors of academic achievement and academic motivation. Also reveals that as students'…

A study explored the nature of adult learners' social networks by interviewing six adult learners at a suburban northeast Ohio adult education site. Five of the subjects were working to pass the General Education Development Test and one was a student of English as a Second Language. The study found that several of the subjects had social networks…

The idea that schooling socialization practices may influence students' self-regulated learning through their effects on attributions and perceived self-efficacy is discussed, focusing on students' beliefs about their abilities. From an attributional perspective, ability is generally viewed as a relatively fixed quality, but researchers have begun…

Social comparison is an important influence on motivation, capability self-evaluations (self-efficacy), and skillful performance. In addition, social comparative information provides a standard against which students can judge their present performance level. Students may experience an initial sense of self-efficacy in attaining a given standard;…

The classroom teacher needs to be able to arouse the interest of students and maintain motivation levels sufficiently high to keep students involved in learning tasks. This study describes techniques that will enable the teacher to make decisions about appropriate learning activities and student reinforcement procedures. The topic is discussed in…

There has been a remarkable amount of production and publication of children's poetry since the 1960s. One of the early, popular anthologies of children's poetry was "Miracles" (Simon & Shuster, 1966), with poems from English-speaking countries revealing how imaginative children could be and their use of metaphors. "The Me Nobody Knows: Children's…

Two questions are addressed: (1) What are the motivational characteristics of a child who is most likely to achieve in school at an optimal level? and (2) What kind of educational environment fosters these characteristics? Evidence suggesting that external rewards and punishment can have negative long-term effects on achievement motivation is…