A project ascertained needs and interests of adults in the community in the area of life coping skills by conducting an evaluation of former students at H.O.M.E. Learning Center in Orland, Maine. Forty completers and forty drop-outs from a low income, rural sample were interviewed using a non-directive interview approach that focused on past needs…

Factors influencing the social and educational environment of junior high schools are discussed, and recommendations for the improvement of the school environment through increased cooperation among students, teachers, and administrators are given. The needs of early adolescents are identified, and the degree to which the junior high school can…

A study addressed the question, "If a teacher exhibits enthusiasm while instructing, what will be the effect upon measures relating to student achievement?" Student variables studied in relationship to teacher enthusiasm were (1) attendance; (2) interest in school and in the particular subject; (3) educational motivation; and (4) student…

Recognizing that psychological and social changes of the late 1960's have a strong influence on current educational issues, the working committee reports of the 1970 Northeast Conference focus attention on the "new student" and foreign language instruction. Three major areas of study are: (1) the search for a relevant curriculum, including…

This teacher's manual grows out of a major research project that is attempting to discover the most effective methods of increasing motivation of the adolescent. The methods under study are combined into special courses that are given in schools by teachers, not in laboratories by research scientists nor in clinics by psychotherapists.…

A return to basic inductive research methods is recommended. Specifically, the scientific method of "strong inference" ought to be applied in attempts to prove hypotheses concerning the relationship that may exist between attitude variables and the learning of a second or foreign language. These hypotheses, drawn from the literature and discussed…

Noting that adolescents' academic achievement depends, to a large degree, on adolescents' motivation, this chapter takes an achievement goal theory perspective to show how the manner in which adolescents adopt differing achievement goal orientations provides a framework for understanding the processes that contribute to their adoption of adaptive…

An Australian study investigated the destinations of adult literacy students in nationally-funded programs, including their economic and employment patterns, educational development (maintenance of educational involvement and advancement, skill development), social well-being (family and personal development, life satisfaction, self-esteem), and…

A study explored the language use patterns, motivations and attitudes toward Americans or the British in the formal English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) classroom, changes in orientations and motivations, and instructional preferences of limited-English-proficient Korean high school students. Subjects were 40 male and 40 female students randomly…

A study demonstrated that integratively motivated secondary students in French courses volunteered more answers, gave more correct responses, and were more satisfied with participation. The teacher's behavior seemed affected by these factors. References, a list of test battery subscales used, and the Language Research Group National Test Battery…

Mathematics achievement was used to distinguish between resilient and nonresilient Latino middle-school students, primarily immigrants from working-class families speaking English as a Second Language. Resilient students had greater involvement and satisfaction in math class, academic self-concept, and achievement motivation than nonresilient…

Asserts that the common perception of homeless children is that they are physically and psychologically impaired by their living circumstances and unable to function effectively in schools. Reports on a case study of efforts to educationally motivate homeless children. Discusses the implications for children's motivation. (CFR)

The instructor of a university organic chemistry course describes how he has incorporated ideas about student motivation and self-regulated learning into his instruction. Specific strategies for active and Socratic learning and instruction are outlined, from modeling and classroom interaction to use of instructional materials, testing, and…

Motivation for returning to higher education was assessed for 117 adult female college graduates with children and 118 students who had withdrawn before graduation. Motivation was found related to previous education, age, marital status, life cycle stage, employment satisfaction, family support. Interrupters and persisters were generally similar;…

This annual serial volume contains 22 articles offering practical pedagogical ideas from faculty at New Hampshire technical colleges. Section I, "Learners Conversing," includes "'Cheering': A Prelude to a Street Dweller," by Thomas Gorka; "Illusions of Fear: Unleashing My Writing," by Bruce Maville; and "Claremont's Writing Workshop," a transcript…