Applying Social Cognitive Career Theory to preservice teachers, a study examined to what extent dispositional optimism and a subjective sense of performance during an internship predict changes in career self-efficacy. The study first determined whether a sample of preservice teachers experienced positive changes in career self-efficacy after an…

Investigated male/female sixth-formers studying physical and biological science A-level courses, examining cognitive style, convergent/divergent thinking, career plans, and other characteristics. Differences between biology/physics students tend to be of the same kind as those between scientists as a whole compared to nonscientists. (JN)

Physical educators have the opportunity and responsibility to create situations that will enhance the character development of their students. This paper examines theories of character development, then describes character development in elementary school physical education, in summer physical education settings, and among at-risk populations.…

Examined associations among three psychological characteristics and classroom performance ratings of prospective teachers who were assessed on personality style, creative thinking, motivation, and classroom performance competency during student teaching. Student teachers completed psychological evaluations, and their supervisors evaluated their…

Reports a series of ethnographic studies of student behavior concerning examinations, conducted in a Canadian university since the mid-1980s. Describes techniques of data gathering and the link between methodology and theory. Examines implications for higher education, including dealing with students' exam-related stress, factors influencing…

This study investigated the consequences of grouping preservice teachers, enrolled in a course on preconceptions about teaching, according to Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality types. Journals, papers, and interviews indicated that grouping was a significant learning experience for all students. Students gained greater awareness of learning…

Resource teachers' and regular teachers' ratings for 32 elementary-level learning-disabled (LD) students were compared to identify teachability characteristics and behaviors. Though the two groups of teachers did not note differences in problem behaviors of the same LD child in different settings, differences in cognitive/motivational and…

Personality type concepts have been introduced at Anwatin Middle School, an urban middle school in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where nearly two-thirds of the students receive reduced price or free lunches. In Anwatin's diverse climate--approximately 70% of Anwatin's students are students of color, mostly Black and Hmong--looking at personality…

The variables of Scholastic Aptitude Test scores, high school rank, emotional adjustment, motivation for grades, and sex were examined as they relate to the academic success of university seniors. Information from 208 members of the Class of 1988 from a Mid-Atlantic Region liberal arts college was collected through the Opinion, Attitude, and…

The purpose of the research program described here was to investigate college students' approaches to learning, and to determine the extent to which these reflected the effects of teaching and assessment demands rather than representing relatively stable characteristics of the individual learners. There were six main areas within the program: (1)…

Because mathematics and gender(sex) is a research area of increasing international interest, a worldwide survey about research concerned with special problems of girls and women when learning mathematics was conducted. Reports included in this document were submitted from Australia, Canada, Dominican Republic, England and Wales, India, Ireland,…

Thirty Black activists and thirty Black non-activists were randomly selected from a list of 100 students identified as activists and 100 students identified as non-activists. Twenty-five from each group were male, and five were female; 32 freshmen and 28 sophomores were included in the sample. All subjects were administered the Edwards Personal…

Using a typological schema derived from freshman survey data and other empirical measures, this study examines the link between students' traits upon entry to college and their college academic performance and skill development in various areas as measured at the exit point. The findings indicate the typological schema is predictive of student…

Japan's economic success may have its origins in its educational system, which instills the values of persistence and hard work in children. This process is begun by Japanese mothers, continues throughout preschool and school, and is reinforced by cultural beliefs and practices. In one study, task persistence was significantly greater among…

A battery of learning preference and course evaluation methods was used in a class of 38 college undergraduates enrolled in an educational psychology course. This investigation was designed to test the hypothesis that students' evaluation of pedagogical methods is modified by their learning style. Results indicated that students who actively…