In more than 30 years of university teaching; hundreds of elementary, middle, and high school visits; and numerous personal interactions with community young people, the author has repeatedly noticed that few students read newspapers or news magazines. In short, most students seem ignorant of and uncaring about current affairs. This is an alarming…

Provides a summary of research on the benefits and uses of subject-matter-related humor in instructional materials, and cites comments of five experts on how to use humor in the design of instruction. Thirteen references are listed. (MER)

A relationship exists between attitudes and some behaviors, and learners' attitudes are definitely influenced by mediated instruction. Attitudes can be defined and measured, using systematic processes such as self-reports, reports of others, sociometric procedures, or records. Researchers have examined the relationship between attitude positions…

Looks at the debate over whether foreign language study is intellectually challenging. Examines four points in the debate: the contrast between content and skill; the nature of the learning and teaching material; the nature of classroom interaction; and the idea of osmosis. (SED)

Curriculum materials prepared by the Hudson Institute are designed to counteract pessimism and convince students they can influence the future. (Author)

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…

Three young adult novels published in 1983 or 1984 that are worthy of a place in the literature curriculum are discussed. These books have a special appeal to adolescents, deal with problems students might encounter growing up, expand their self-awareness and their experiences, and are teachable. They contain balanced, recognizable, and…

Having limited accurate knowledge about the Soviet Union, this article provides U.S. teachers with information about the selection and location of resources for teaching about the USSR. Relevant information can be summarized in the classroom by using resources for students; Soviet source materials; reference materials for teachers; and information…

Distinguishes between text authenticity and learner authenticity. A set of guiding principles for making textually authentic materials learner authentic is suggested. A 3-week supplementary English program, which was devised for a group of Hong Kong Polytechnic students based on these principles, is described. (12 references) (Author/CK)

It would be a mistake to underestimate the challenge of any attempt to elevate the current status of textbook research. The negativity surrounding textbooks in terms of use and status as both literary objects and vehicles for pedagogy is profound. There is a very deep-seated "anti-textbook ethos" witnessed throughout the education business. This…

Argues that discussion-based approaches are necessary for the development of positive attitudes to socio-economic and applied aspects of science. Presented are evidence supporting this argument and some examples of appropriate learning materials. (Author/CW)

Suggests ideas to help children understand economics through the daily newspaper. Includes suggested activities about wants and needs, scarcity, goods and services, supply and demand, opportunity cost, factors of production, the stock market, advertising, and political cartoons. Suggests appropriate grade levels for each activity. Argues that…

Describes the creation of a user-friendly manual for students interested in taking Developmental Psychology as an independent-study course. Outlines the process followed by the author to create the course and manual. Discusses all components of the course: test, films, and numerous examples of student-initiated activities. Mentions student…

Presents an approach to teaching basic and advanced courses in cataloging that determines course objectives by identifying the categories of students involved. The course content, instructional materials, and presentation methods are described in detail, and the success of the courses in generating interest among students is discussed. (CLB)

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)