Teachers are trained to adjust curriculum and give extra help to students who struggle to learn. However, teachers are not as prepared to deal with students who resist learning yet seem to have the ability to do well in school and apparently choose not to complete assignments or participate in class activities, consequently choosing to earn…

Motivation is probably the most important single factor in successful language learning. Provided the student feels he can use the knowledge gained in the course, his motivation will probably sustain him. Thus, student course evaluations are important. A questionnaire that was distributed to students to gain such an evaluation is described.…

A week-by-week readiness program for preschool and early primary children. (Editor)

Focuses on young nonnative children's storybook experiences and their attitude toward reading. Argues that motivating young nonnative children to read in the early years is crucial in developing positive attitudes towards reading and subsequently in laying the foundation of English-as-a-Second-Language literacy development. (VWL)

In a comparable case-study approach, 174 adults answered open-ended questions identifying that (1) degree of self-directed learning was not age related; (2) some emphasized mutual responsibility for learning; (3) learning experiences were largely problem centered; and (4) experience was integral to their learning. (SK)

Examination of the motivational styles of 63 children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder using parent, teacher, and self-ratings found ADHD children characterized by a preference for easy work, less enjoyment of learning, less persistence, and a greater reliance on external than on internal standards. Some differences between children…

Path analysis was used to test predictions of a model explaining the impact of students' perceptions of classroom structures (tasks, autonomy support and mastery and evaluation) on their self-efficacy, perceptions of the instrumentality of class work, and their achievement goals in a particular classroom setting. Additionally, the impact of…

A critical element in effective teaching is establishing positive connections with students, particularly those at risk of failure. This article presents the findings and suggestions of researchers who have examined the practices and impact of caring teachers, and how their students perceive them.

This study examined how two motivational substrates may be differentially important depending upon the learner's language background. Students registered in German classes (N = 99) completed a questionnaire that assessed (a) their intrinsic, extrinsic, integrative, and instrumental reasons for learning German; (b) their feelings of autonomy,…

The aim of the paper is to integrate notions of the improvement of student learning through a focus on the concept of engagement, and adds to that broader discussion through a recent empirical study of the perceptions of students gathered through a case study in a UK university. It is proposed that student engagement lies on a continuum from…

This study examined the effect of a hypermedia-enhanced problem-based learning environment in astronomy on sixth-graders' science knowledge, attitude toward learning science, and motivation toward learning. It was found that the students had significantly increased their science knowledge from pretest to post test and also retained much of what…

This article reports on a piece of research conducted as part of an undergraduate dissertation, to identify student opinions on collaboration and perceived advantages, disadvantages and barriers to knowledge sharing. Collaborative behaviour is investigated and analysed, including the use of two specific online tools. Research is conducted through…

Some affective/emotional factors in the foreign language learning situation that tend to hinder the learner in learning the target language are analyzed. Beginning with an explanation of theory concerning the "affective filter" and learning, the discussion proceeds to research findings on self-concept and their relationship to the affective filter…

Examines current grading procedures and expresses the desire that children succeed in school, not because of the threat of grades, but because they are interested and motivated.

Using examples drawn from Transactional Analysis, the author explains the use of constructive criticism (the expression of the "Adult" state) as a positive motivating force, and comparesit to the debilitating effect of destructive criticism (expressing either the "Child" or the "Parent" ego state.) (AJ)