THE ROLE OF IMPORTANCE AND INTEREST IN THE PROCESSING OF TEXT

In this review, text-based research on importance and interest is anal yzed with several objectives in mind. First, the constructs of importa nce and interest are unidimensionally considered to show that various forms of each can operate within any text-learning environment. Second , research specifically addressing the interplay between these two fac tors is explored in relation to the goal of learning from text. The pu rpose of this analysis is to evaluate the research on importance and i nterest from a methodological standpoint and to delineate key findings that emerge from this body of research. Finally, based on the review of the literature, implications for future research and instructional practice are presented.