Multimedia presentations are defined as the integration, control, and manipulation of text, art and graphics, photography, animation, audio, and video for presentations. This paper provides an overview of multimedia presentations, and examines how multimedia is being implemented through the Multimedia Design Center (MDC) at California State…

The changing face of the workplace and composition of the work force have necessitated new approaches to workplace safety that focus on motivating trainees to learn and practice safe workplace behaviors. Unfortunately, most knowledge regarding work motivation is theoretical and not directly usable by safety training professionals. The notions of…

These two papers address the challenge of harnessing the most appropriate media technology to help learning and teaching into the next century. "Motivation, Access, and the Media," presents the case for greater access for learners to the various technologies. The paper makes the case for access to be free at the point of use and argues…

This study investigated student use of commercial note-taking services as a predictor of class attendance and examined the effects of their use on academic performance in science courses. The study draws upon results of a survey distributed to 1,874 undergraduate students (response rate 58.2 percent) enrolled in two large-lecture chemistry courses…

Although Allan Bloom in "The Closing of the American Mind" and Mike Rose in "Lives on the Boundary" reveal an almost endless list of obvious differences of perspective on literacy and higher education in America, both take divergent yet similar routes to create a permanent place for liberal education. Both Bloom and Rose use…

The Nested Spiral Approach (NSA) is a teaching technique designed for students of limited English proficiency that integrates four aspects of motivated learning: contents, language, culture, and real life experiences. The approach consists of: (1) effective use of student strengths; (2) three teaching cycles for each lesson; and (3) five steps in…

Military personnel facing forced retirement are prime candidates for retraining as teachers. As mature adult learners, retiring/retired military personnel have certain needs that must be addressed if they are to become successful in their educational careers. Knowles' six assumptions of andragogy acknowledge these special needs as follows: adults…

A study identified characteristics and motivating factors that influenced licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to participate in a registered nursing (RN) upgrading program at a hospital in western Canada. A literature review considered the concepts of motivation, participation, adult learning, and life transitions and explored a variety of models and…

The purposes of this study were: to examine the terms "intrinsic motivation" and "extrinsic motivation" by defining and analyzing characteristics of each; to investigate their relevance to classroom practice; and to determine if students' motivational orientations can be changed. A modified version of Harter's Self-Report Scale…

This research experiment studied the effect of humor versus non-humor on learning and retention of a computer-based instructional (CBI) lesson on tick identification. The experiment also surveyed the subjects' enjoyment of the lesson material, their personal experiences with ticks, and their concerns about ticks and tick-borne diseases.…

This collection of essays addresses issues related to basic literacy and mathematical competence in the United States. Articles include the following: "The Roots of Literacy" (David Hawkins); "Historical Perspectives on Literacy and Schooling" (Daniel P. Resnick); "Reconciling the Literacies of Generations" (William…

Although the emphasis on adult literacy/basic education is increasing, the high dropout rate from programs in these areas is a concern. Why learners choose to participate or not to participate in such programs can be understood in terms of three sets of factors. Learner-inherent factors include self-evaluation, goals, and capabilities. Life…

Over 1,000 eighth grade students participated in a study to determine the relationships between learning style and reading/language arts skills as demonstrated by standardized testing. It was hypothesized that (1) individual learning style contributes significantly to reading and communication skills, (2) specific learning style elements acting…

Eight papers from a 1983 symposium of music educators and psychologists summarize current knowledge and theory in motivation and creativity and apply this research to the teaching and learning of music at all levels. Emphasis is on practical implications for music teachers in day to day instruction. Topics addressed in the papers are: task…

This article argues that the traditional classroom may provide little opportunity for English-as-a-Second-Language teachers to learn about the lives of their students. Drawing on ethnographic research in Philadelphia's Hmong community, an attempt is made to demonstrate how teachers can get a distorted picture of their students and how their…