The way that Open University students study technology (T100) and social science (D101) foundation courses was investigated using an inventory developed at Lancaster University. A comparison of study approaches of Open University and conventional university students, and data derived from student interviews were analyzed. The Lancaster inventory,…

A student project was designed to promote the development of critical reading, critical thinking, and study skills in seventh grade honors students in a developmental reading program. Inherent within the design of the project was the notion that the students would select a topic of interest to research, thereby enhancing student motivation and…

The present study offers a model of second language learning and examines aspects of the model in two experiments with high school students learning French. The model describes learning in terms of three parameters - learning processes, learning strategies, and learner characteristics. These three parameters together may be used to explain both…

Students in eight urban and three suburban high schools were asked for their perceptions of social studies, mathematics, and English. Although most students thought that learning all three subjects was important, they believed that learning social studies was less important than learning mathematics and English. The majority thought that their…

This research report examines the interaction of persons and situations. It specifically identifies individual cognitive and motivational characteristics, preferences, and orientations of children which help to determine their relative benefit from different kinds of educational environments. The procedures and results of the main study are…

Defining the museum as a learning environment, this book analyzes devices that can be used to make the experience more meaningful for visitors in existing and new exhibits. Although the typical museum audience is heterogeneous and voluntary with no particular instructional objectives on which to base museum exploration, instructional technology…

Reports on a study of the effectiveness of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) in the acquisition of English as a second language by Arabic- and Spanish-speaking students in an intensive program. Examines two student variables--time spent using CALL lessons and attitude toward them--as well as four cognitive/affective characteristics.…

A study identified and compared characteristics of enlisted soldiers who participated in postsecondary educational offerings to those who did not and identified barriers to participation for participants and nonparticipants. Individual and focus group interviews were conducted with 92 soldiers at one Army installation. Nonparticipants named these…

Examined the relation between the nature of teacher discourse and sixth-grade students' reports of affect and behavior in mathematics classrooms students perceived as emphasizing both mastery and performance goals. Found that students in the classroom in which there was constant and explicit support for autonomy and intrinsic motivation, positive…

Compares English-as-a-Foreign-Language students beliefs about language learning, using responses to the Beliefs about Language Learning Inventory (BALLI) to identify similarities and differences across cultural groups. Examination of individual BALLI responses did not yield clear-cut cultural differences in beliefs. (Author/VWL)

A study examined variability in learner progress through a pre-university intensive English-as-a-Second-Language program as it relates to 36 language learning background variables (e.g., formal English training and exposure, motivation, etc.) and four entry-level proficiency variables. Subjects were 201 Indiana University students. Success was…

Twenty-seven female welfare recipients who had been forced to enroll in a career and life planning class or lose their welfare benefits were observed in class for 1 month in 1972. Five to 6 months after the class, 15 of the women were interviewed in informal small group and one-on-one conversations and formal open-ended individual interviews…

This study examined the effects of individual differences, attitudes, past performances, and teaching behaviors on 286 undergraduate college students' achievement, attribution, affective, and motivational outcomes. The study was conducted at the University of Manitoba using a theoretical model based on Weiner's theory of achievement motivation.…

This paper focuses on the role of self-evaluation during self-regulated learning. After a discussion of the social cognitive theory of self-regulation, self-efficacy, and achievement goals, two studies of fourth graders who were learning fraction skills and one ongoing research project with college students enrolled in their first computer class…

This volume examines and discusses educational research and its application. A collection of abridged and edited versions of original research reports is presented, intended to help teachers use research findings to inform their own practice. The research papers bring teaching methods and resources up to date; discuss the learning potential of…