Concerned that many students were barely surviving introductory chemistry rather than thriving, one college teacher used classroom research to assess and encourage student involvement and to understand students' difficulties with the material. Although student achievement has not risen measurably, students appreciate the techniques and participate…

A sense of obligation to support, assist, and respect the family was examined among approximately 700 urban and rural 10th- (M=16.6 years) and 12th- (M=18.9 years) grade students in the People's Republic of China. Urban male adolescents reported a weaker sense of family obligation than did rural male adolescents and both urban and rural female…

The study investigated whether changes in the educational context of teaching Arabic as a second language in Israeli schools affect students' attitudes towards the language, its speakers and culture, and motivation to study the language. These changes included teaching spoken Arabic rather than Modern Standard Arabic and lowering the starting age…

It is frequently held forth, within the area of virtual pedagogical characters, that such characters are beneficial for learning as they strengthen the social dimension of electronic learning environments. This article presents more details on this proposal together with a survey of corresponding empirical evidence. In addition, materials from a…

There is a growing interest about learning environments enhancing learning motivation. However, two questions need to be answered to improve learning environment motivational quality: how much motivational value do students attribute to each particular component of learning environments? And in what degree is such value mediated by students'…

We studied how teachers use ideas that pupils offer when they are consulted. Six teachers (two each in English, Maths and Science) and their Year 8 classes at three secondary schools were involved. In this paper we explore the importance of social capital for understanding the processes and dispositions that underpin classroom consultation.…

This study investigates the motivation for learning French, the ethnic identities, and the decision to pursue post-secondary education in French of anglophone graduates of intensive French language programs in high school. Sixty-two graduates of either French immersion, Advanced Placement French, or the International Baccalaureate French program…

A study used qualitative and quantitative techniques to investigate Arab university students' motivation for studying English as a second language (ESL), attitudes toward studying English and the English language, attitudes toward Americans and the United States, and future expectations for study of English. Subjects were 15 male and 7 female…

Article investigated the effects of inanimate stimuli upon the learning behaviors of children as well as the presence of their mothers in a learning environment. (RK)

Two concepts common in the literature concerning the affective dimension of personality are attitude and motivation. Motivation is an energizing agency producing activity congruent with the learner's underlying emotional disposition. Favorable attitudes provide endurance to the motivation necessary for prolonged application to learning. In second…

This book is designed to aid teachers in sending students away from their instruction with a positive, rather than negative, attitude toward a subject or toward learning in general--an attitude which is essential if students are to use what they have learned and continue to learn more. The three-part book deals with the relationship between…

A study was conducted among college students of Spanish to determine whether certain linguistic and ethnic attitudes can predict proficiency in Spanish as a second language. Attitudinal data did not predict second language proficiency, but evidence suggested that a positive orientation toward the Chicano community was not necessary for the…

Examines the predictive validity of the "Attitude/Motivation Test Battery" (Gardner, et al, 1979), specifically the three composite measures derived from the battery--motivation, integrativeness, and attitudes toward the learning situation. Results demonstrate that the three factors are relatively consistent predictors of second language…

The Oregon System in Mathematics Education tries to rid teachers of their long-standing fear of math and help them see it as a useful, problem-solving tool. (Editor)

Introduces the concept of formal and informal groups in a variety of settings, including the classroom. Argues that informal group processes in the classroom do make a difference in the accomplishment of formal learning goals and provides suggestions for legitimizing communication about student feelings and for giving to students formal…