This paper investigates the effect of engaging students in designing interactive multimedia programs. The design process has been shown to heighten motivation and to develop skills in project management, research, organization and representation, presentation, and reflection. At the same time, previous studies have also revealed that it is…

For individuals to use computer tools for learning effectively, they must feel self-efficacious in using them. For this reason, it is important to examine attitudes and perceptions of competence that are encouraged by undergraduate educational programs. The factor validation of two affective measures related to computer technologies is reported.…

This Digest of a larger report with the same title examines the application of learning theory to the quality of learning in undergraduate college classrooms. Relevant theories are identified, including theories which address college students' attributions for success or failure, self-efficacy, social constructivism, conscientization, multiple…

The concept of emotional competence entails resilience, self-efficacy, and acting in accord with one's sense of moral character. This suggests argues that emotional competence is demonstrated by the self-efficacy in emotion-eliciting encounters and identifies eight key emotional skills that support its acquisition in interpersonal contexts. The…

Working diligently, living frugally, and restraining one's lusts and appetites within defensible boundaries have often been classified as middle class values. A growing concern of the U.S. public is the dysfunctional conduct of many of those dependent upon its support. However, society must demonstrate persuasively that rectitude pays. Society…

Many teachers struggle with motivating students to learn. This is especially prevalent in social studies classrooms in which students perceive social studies as boring (Schug, Todd, & Berry, 1984; Shaughnessy & Haladyana, 1985). This article advocates the use of technology in social studies as a means to motivate students by engaging…

In mathematics, Canadian students perform poorly, and enrollment in Canadian postsecondary institutions is low, particularly for women. Clearly, there is a need to understand the personal and social factors that influence mathematics achievement and academic choices. A. Bandura's self-efficacy theory (1977, 1982) implies that academic choices are…

This book presents, in journal form, the teaching philosophy of Louis Schmier, a university history professor. Through a series of brief essays that were originally published as electronic mail on the Internet, he challenges teachers to reach out to their students. He suggests that unless the teacher values, respects, likes, and accepts himself,…

In this study, the effects of perceived parental expectation, trait effort, trait self-efficacy, trait ability, state self-efficacy, state effort, and state worry on the mathematics achievement of high and low track high school students in Taiwan were investigated. A hypothesized model of these constructs was also investigated using a structural…

This study investigated the relationships between Turkish preservice teachers' sense of self-efficacy; their beliefs about their colleagues, the students, and the administration; and their attitudes about student control. The study also examined whether these factors were influenced by education, age, gender, and educational attainment level. A…

As a response to the problems of nontraditional student attrition at two-year and four-year urban colleges, this paper introduces the constructs of career decision-making self-efficacy, perceived stress, and financial difficulty into a model built on the synthesis of Cabrera (1993). A questionnaire was administered to adult nontraditional (age 24…

Examines the relationship between family dysfunction, parental attachment, and career search self-efficacy using a sample of 220 community college students. Attachment to mother and father, and degree of family dysfunction combined to account for 14% of the variance in career search self-efficacy. Data were analyzed separately for men and women,…

Contends that identity problems among adolescents are exacerbated by misinterpretations of the role education plays in the process of achieving personal autonomy. States these problems arise when means to autonomy become ends in themselves and when status is emphasized over character. Explores three stages of the process from freedom to…

Social and governmental policies have attempted to improve the lives of children in poverty, but negative outcomes continue for African-American youth. Policy and programs for youth must be sensitive to developmental processes, racial and ethnic affiliation, and the environmental structures that put students at risk. (SLD)

Reviews literature and discusses results of two national surveys to identify factors influencing participation of women and minorities in science and engineering. Notions of self-concept/self-efficacy, peer influence, and goal commitment, which can be traced to early socialization experiences, may account for most participation disparities by race…