To take math anxiety out of math instruction, teachers need to first know how to easily diagnose it in their students and second, how to analyze causes. Results of a recent study revealed that while students believed that their math anxiety was largely related to a lack of mathematical understanding, they often blamed their teachers for causing…

Using computer simulated games as a teaching tool has effected an attitude change among students and may be a possible solution to the problems of negative attitudes of students towards business careers in marketing. (Author/BP)

Notes that classic literary works such as "Romeo and Juliet" are often taught in ways that infuse negative impressions of sexuality, while students need and deserve a more realistic approach to the subject. Cites Alice Munro's "Lives of Girls and Women" as a book that provides this approach. Lists other acceptable books. (FL)

Discusses teaching of English in Japan and problems that can result when U.S. teachers go to Japan to teach English, including negative attitudes of teachers, teachers' inability to adjust to new culture, teachers' lack of commitment to their profession, and insistence of some teachers to do everything their way in classroom. Considers issues of…

This article identifies some of the frustrations felt by a classroom practitioner as a result of the restrictions generated by current demands for accountability, and the limiting effect these can have on children's learning experiences. It goes on to consider the liberating impact of a more organic way of organising the curriculum, which allows…

Method effects associated with item wording have been explored in a variety of instruments and found that the practice of using positively- and negatively- worded items may introduce systematic measurement errors that disrupt analyses and interpretations of the results. Therefore, the first purpose in the present study was to explore if method…

In Zimbabwe the need to incorporate indigenous knowledge in science education to reflect local cultural settings cannot be overemphasized. Current policies on science are situated in Western cultural definitions, thus marginalizing indigenous knowledge, which is misconceived as irrational and illogical. This study used qualitative research…

In this paper, a college professor applies existential philosophic thought to his "everyday teaching practice." He points out the stifling effects of working within a bureaucratic school organization. He presents personal experiences in dealing with the problems encountered daily in the classroom. The professor believes it is possible to, in the…

Discusses ways to reduce anxiety of sociology students on the college level so that they can learn more effectively. Presents a review of literature and discusses a survey of university faculty in support of the hypothesis that anxiety interferes with learning. (Author/DB)

Many secondary students have mastered the skills necessary for proficient reading, but they dislike reading and avoid it at every opportunity. This article briefly describes 12 classroom-tested strategies for inducing these youngsters to read. (Author/SJL)

Factors that may be responsible for the failure of some open education programs include: (1) lack of teacher training and know-how to implement a successful program; (2) negative reactions from parents; and (3) few incentives or workshops dealing with philosophies or techniques in open education. (CM)

The survey presented in this article examines current teachers' beliefs and attitudes towards information and communication technologies (ICT) in education. A total of 1165 primary and secondary education teachers participated in the study, immediately after following a training programme on basic ICT skills. The authors' results showed that the…

Science education in the United Kingdom faces a dual challenge in the near future: that of addressing increasing disaffection from the subject by pupils as they enter adolescence coupled with the downturn in learning as they leave primary school behind. Both bridging work and teacher creativity have been identified as key ingredients in ensuring…

Examining the translation of mastery learning theory into the practice of reading programs, this paper challenges the appropriateness of mastery learning for reading instruction. Noting that the use of the term "mastery" is arrogant, conservative, and dogmatic, the paper explores the ramifications of translating mastery learning theory…

Research into attitudes toward writing, still in its infancy, indicates that attitudes definitely influence growth in writing, that a writer's degree of apprehension toward writing can be measured, and that certain teaching strategies can lessen students' writing anxiety. Researchers have identified the following characteristics of writing…