These scenarios have at least two elements in common: (1) the
teacher was presenting content in an innovative and interesting way, and (2) a student was distracted from effective learning because of
specific perceptions. Certainly Mrs. Paynter's demonstration of the solar
system and Mr. Hutchins' engaging stories are sound educational practice,
but in each of their classes at least one student could not learn
effectively because she perceived flu.. something was amiss. Jana felt
that she was not accepted by her classmates; Carmen was worried
because she was afraid that she wouldn't be able to figure out what Mr.
Hutchins expected her to do. The stories of Jana and Carmen both show
that attitudes and perceptions affect learning.
One of the major themes in the current