In this article, Charlie Taylor offers a commentary on Yang et al.'s 2021 "Reading in a Foreign Language" article, "Text Difficulty in Extensive Reading: Reading Comprehension and Reading Motivation." In their study, Yang et al. analyzed the effects of text difficulty on the reading comprehension and motivation of high school…

This commentary first summarizes and discusses the analysis of the two translation processes described in the Oliveira, Colak, and Akerson article and the inferences these researchers make based on their research. In the second part of the commentary, we describe procedures and criteria used in adapting tests into different languages and how they…

Presents an overview of frame games developed to provide a content-free instructional structure on which can be loaded locally relevant content. Included are an analysis and comparison of selected games on the basis of eight important characteristics, overall evaluations of selected games, and advantages and disadvantages of frame games. (CMV)

A discussion of authentic materials for English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) instruction focuses on the necessary balance between authenticity and comprehensibility. A variety of definitions of authentic materials offered in the literature are considered, and then compared with published ESL materials that are claimed to be authentic. A new…

Discusses methodological problems regarding time-on-task in experiments in which effects of extra study aids are evaluated. Illustrations of different methods of studying learning aids and their effects on the outcome are based on six experiments into the influence of concrete analogies on learning. Seventeen references are provided. (EJS)

Discusses the rationale for sharing courseware between educators, describes the problems of hardware incompatibility associated with software sharing, and introduces a multilingual interpreter system which allows instructional software implemented in different computer languages and on different machines to be shared with a minimum of work. A…

This study examined the interrelationship between the support system and learning materials of a distance learning source and the influence this relationship has on students' experiences and approaches to learning. Learners' experiences with two different distance learning courses which used the same learning materials but different support…

To supplement course materials for classes in communication theory and research methods, this paper compares philosophical assumptions underlying three approaches to communication research: scientific, which stresses quantitative methods of analysis; humanistic, which encompasses many conflicting techniques but has as a common element--the…

A comparison is made between six state-adopted fourth-grade California history textbooks dating from 1940-1965 and seven textbooks adopted since 1980. The author's observations suggest that although overall changes between older and newer texts have been dramatic, the new books vary widely among themselves. Changes between older and newer texts…

An Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) program developer rebuts observations made by Dan B. Fleming and Thomas C. Hunt. Distinguishes areas of program philosophy from secular humanism; points out that achievement test scores are higher among ACE program students; and responds to criticisms of grade program units. (CJH)

Discusses similarities and differences in the use of puppets and computers as teaching tools in the classroom. Teachers' resistance to puppets is discussed, and four new puppet programs are described. (LRW)

Describes a study that was conducted to determine whether distance education learners experience anxiety, based on results of a survey of 222 University of Southern Queensland students. Anxiety toward instructional materials and variables that affect students' perceptions of factors that affect their anxiety are discussed. (LRW)

Argues for a critical language awareness (LA) and for LA to be closely linked to the development of learners' practical language capabilities. The paper offers a critical evaluation of three major programmatic statements about LA: Committee for Linguistics in Education (1985); National Congress on Languages in Education (1985); and Hawkins (1984).…

Aliteracy, the ability to read but the unwillingness to do so, is a growing problem in American society. Aliteracy crosses all socioeconomic levels, thereby allowing autocratic, charismatic leaders to influence thinking and decision-making. Social changes that have contributed to the problem of aliteracy include the influence of television on…

Discusses concept maps produced by students enrolled in a half-credit distance education history course. Topics include evaluating the effectiveness concept maps as a tool for instruction and for measuring the quality of learning. Student concept maps are compared with those prepared by the authors of the course materials. (46 references) (KRN)