Analyzes young people's attitudes to the Youth Training Scheme (YTS). Describes longitudinal and historical change associated with the development of the YTS. The data show some historical improvement in attitudes to YTS, while longitudinal improvement is small. Concludes that there is a very modest return on the massive expenditure for the…

Samples 10 each of primary, secondary and special schools as a means of investigating the development of curricula for children experiencing learning difficulty. Describes the method of qualitative data analysis. Develops a model of the curriculum development process based on the interrelationships of the categories found in the analysis. (KO)

Describes the increased acceptance of constructivism as a research paradigm in the social sciences and its applicability for interviewing in educational research. Notes major sources of this viewpoint and highlights a validity dilemma relative to the roles of interviewer and interviewee. Proposes the strategy of hierarchical focusing as a means to…

Reports on research which examines the nature of the interaction between teachers and pupils when the Active Tutorial Work (ATW) strategy is used. Concludes that the teacher remains the center of the interaction whenever present in the learning group, despite the increased use of cooperative groupwork. Compares results with those obtained through…

Examines the effects of facial expression and posture of teachers on the reactions of schoolchildren. Finds that smiling and frowning have strong effects while the effects of posture and gesture are weaker. Reports that touch and explaining gestures are seen as positive by the students and controlling gestures are viewed as negative. (KO)

Investigates the amount of time infant school children spend waiting for teacher attention while performing seatwork. Discusses implications of the findings for classroom practice. Suggests that the most advantageous method for securing teacher attention may be found in those classes that use a queue system rather than a hands-up signal. (KO)

Study measured how differences in working memory capacity related to differences in comprehension and following directions in first, third, and sixth graders. The number of words recalled in word- and reading-span tests predicted comprehension for all grades. Results indicate working memory's role in following directions increases with age. (SM)

Researchers examined cognitive processes used to construct meaning from narrative text in successful and less successful ninth grade readers. A coding system analyzed think-aloud protocols students recorded while reading two stories. Students were primarily story-driven readers. Differences between stories rarely affected their responses.…

Examines the effects of providing undergraduate learners with graphic illustrations of coordinate concept relationships to supplement text-based instruction. Half of those reading a specific passage received a graphic concept tree. That group outperformed those who did not, reporting significantly higher amounts of attenuation, confidence, and…

Study examined relationships between attitudes toward mathematics and mathematics achievement, parental support, and gender in 13-year-old U.S. and Thai students. Four attitude scales indicated those factors were significant predictors of attitude in both countries. Even after controlling for achievement and parental support, there were…

Researchers investigated whether enrollment in high school vocational/business courses had more holding power than personal, social factors, using High School and Beyond survey data to examine 12 variables. Peer interest, sense of social belonging, and relationships with school staff differentially related to persistence, but participation in…

Study tested the effects of an experiment-based physical science program on cognitive outcomes with 556 urban fourth through eighth graders. Teachers implemented the hands-on Quantitative Approach to Elementary Science program consisting of 22 physical science experiments. Results indicate the program influenced only science process skills and…

Researchers investigated the effects of an instructional game and supplemental reading on undergraduate students' motivation and performance. Two groups used either a worksheet or a board game to practice materials learned via lecture. The game significantly affected four motivational components (attention, relevance, confidence, and satisfaction)…

Using a political system theory approach, this case study examined the conflict that developed between the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the State Department of Public Instruction between the mid-1970s and mid-1980s for control of a teacher education program. Conclusions highlight political and governance ramifications for teacher…

Four case studies are presented, which provide examples of performing musicians working with teachers and children in British schools. The studies assess the political, cultural, and professional implications of this interaction. The issues involved in cross-professional collaboration are highlighted, with political control of social programs a…