Reports findings of two studies of the effects of pupil self-recording of on-task behavior. Finds evidence for the effectiveness of self-recording in improving on-task behavior levels. Finds positive effects on academic productivity in multiple baseline study. Concludes self-control skills may promote independent learning behavior allowing…

W. Edwards Deming rejects school-improvement proposals based on formulating higher standards and enforcing them with performance assessments. To Deming, the Bush Administration's America 2000 education strategy is "a horrible example of numerical goals, tests, rewards, but no method." Emphasizing rationalist performance measures…

Explores practical guidelines for classroom use of cooperative learning integrated with computer-based learning. Discusses positive interdependence, social modeling, communication skills, individual accountability, learners' abilities, grouping strategies, interaction patterns, locus of control, intrinsic motivation, cognitive processes, higher…

Interrogates similarities and misconceptions common to W. Edwards Deming and John Dewey, examining a reconciliation of the two within the context of motivation theory and concluding that Deming and Dewey are very similar in general outlook and the shared belief in the integrity of the individual within the social system. (SM)

Examined motivationally related variables among three types of students. In particular, students' perceptions of competence, control, and academic coping as well as parental, teacher, and peer autonomy support were investigated. Significant group differences were found on measures of perceived competence, academic coping, and parental autonomy…

This investigation, using Nuttin Motivation Relational Theory (1985), was designed to analyze the main motivational objectives responsible for the university and professional fulfillment of teachers and future teachers. It also analyzed how those objectives are distributed in both intrinsic and extrinsic terms, as well as the relation between…

Many of the reasons offered for the difference between boys and girls in certain kinds of cognitive tasks have been attributed to biology. However, other factors need to be considered, and so the role that motivation and learning play in gender differences is addressed in this paper. The focus rests on gender differences, both in the individual…

Two studies examined the relationship between preschool and elementary school children's ability to delay gratification and their school behaviors, after controlling for differences in socioeconomic status (SES). Children's gratification control was measured through an age-appropriate dilemma that forced each child to exhibit gratification control…

Numerous theories have attempted to explain possible factors relating to an individual's propensity for engaging or failing to engage in preventative health behaviors. The Health Locus of Control (HLOC) is now considered to be an important variable for understanding an individual's likelihood for following health promoting behaviors. This paper…

This study examined the reliability and construct validity of two types of measures of mastery motivation for elementary school children: a new version of the Dimensions of Mastery Questionnaires (DMQ) and behavioral mastery tasks. Participating were 64 mostly middle class and Caucasian 7- and 10-year-olds living in a middle-sized western city.…

This review examines the psychological variables that influence academic performance, by exploring the psychosocial development of students and the individual differences that emerge in childhood and impact upon a student's later self-concept. Areas discussed include identity and achievement issues, gender differences in identity achievement, the…

Self-regulated learning is usually viewed as the fusion of skill and will, referring to the students' development of different learning strategies in service of their goals. This definition is expanded in a study of self-schemas as a means of representing multiple goals for learning. Measures of self-schemas were used with 151 seventh graders (86…

This booklet comprises the fourth grade component of a series of curriculum guides on fire and burn prevention. Designed to meet the age-specific needs of fourth grade students, its objectives include: (1) understanding principles of extinguishing fires, (2) investigating issues of peer pressure related to fire setting, (3) developing…

Designed to provide community college instructors with an understanding of how to improve the motivational level of their students, this four-part guidebook reviews theoretical concepts and offers practical advice concerning student motivation and frustration. Section I provides an overview of both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and of…

The 21st Century Learning Initiative is a transnational program concerned with improving education by changing outdated assumptions about how humans learn. This paper summarizes issues behind the organization's work. The first is the biological nature of learning; discussion of this issue includes a description of new research on the very young…