Preface
This booklet explains principles that encourage children to learn
and has been prepared for inclusion in the Educational Practices
Series developed by the International Academy of Education
and is distributed by the International Bureau of Education and
the Academy. As part of its mission, the Academy provides
timely syntheses of research on educational topics of
international importance. This booklet is the tenth in the series
on educational practices that improve learning. It opens a new
door, however, since it focuses on behaviour rather than
academic learning.
The author of this booklet, Monique Boekaerts, began her
career as a teacher but decided to take up the study of psychology
to understand better what went on in the minds of her
students. She is a full professor at Leiden University in the
Netherlands and has published over 120 papers and book chapters
on motivation and self-regulation. She set up collaborative
innovation programmes with the school-management and
teachers of large vocational schools. Together with Teaching
and School Management Consultants (TSM) she coaches the
change processes that are currently taking place in vocational
education. Professor Boekaerts has served as president of the
European Association for Research in Learning and Instruction.
The officers of the International Academy of Education are
aware that this booklet is based on research carried out
primarily in economically advanced countries. The booklet,
however, focuses on aspects of learning and behaviour that that
may be found in most cultures in varying degrees. The
principles presented here are likely to be generally applicable
and useful throughout the world. Even so, the principles should
be assessed with reference to local conditions, and adapted
accordingly. In any educational setting, nation or culture,
suggestions or guidelines for practice require sensitive and
sensible application, and continuing evaluation.