In higher education, one commonly used teaching approach that is intended to develop deep learning is that of the 'Oxford' tutorial--a personalized Socratic approach in which an instructor discusses course-related issues with a handful of students. Even though this conventional tutorial model is well supported in the literature, it may be…

The ubiquitousness of images in the digital era highlights the importance of individuals' visual communication skills in the 21st Century. We conducted a literature review of visual literacy initiatives in academic institutions to illustrate best practices for imparting these skills in students. The literature review identified five categories of…

Notes that the effectiveness of tutoring as an intervention is controversial. Reviews research on college tutoring practices. Concludes that existing research provides some support for tutoring but does not address the issue of whether tutored students are eventually able to perform as independent learners. (RS)

Discusses the selection and training of student tutors for college reading programs, the supervision of tutors, and studies of the effectiveness of college-level peer tutoring programs. (GT)

Reviews studies of psychosocial variables that maximize outcomes in peer tutoring programs. Considers research on tutoring behaviors and their relation to outcomes; effective tutorial instruction methods; expectations and attributions in tutoring settings; tutorial roles and student pairings; and cooperative learning formats. Makes recommendations…

Argues that while the writing laboratory cannot solve all problems inherent in teaching writing, it is a rich resource for both student and instructor. (MM)

Examines the effects of tutoring on trained college tutors and tutees. Reports on interviews of 39 tutors and evaluations from 838 of their tutees, concluding that tutoring plays an integral role in the development of college students and that tutoring programs have value on campus. Lists the qualities of a good tutor, describes tutoring processes…

A study of the fairness and utility of race-conscious academic support services offered at law schools finds that law schools should increase academic support for nontraditional students. A University of Oregon program is used to illustrate the potential for program success. (MSE)

Intended as an overview for English department faculty with no direct experience in teaching freshman composition, this report contains a general account of the origin, basic features, and current direction of using tutorial methods in freshman composition classes. The five sections of the report provide the following information: (1) the history…

Experience in Scotland shows that telephone tuition can be an effective means to bring remote students and tutors into direct contact. One-to-one tuition, conference call tuition, and loud-speaker tuition are discussed. Limitations and advantages of this medium are noted, and development across the United Kingdom is advocated. (AF)

The choices involved in setting up an open learning system are discussed, and the case for the mixture of interaction and independence is established. Problems involved in effecting the synthesis between activities in which the student works alone and those which bring him into contact with others are detailed. (AF)

Different forms of peer tutoring within college and universities are described and compared for effectiveness, including cross-year and same-year small-group, individualized, supplemental, diadic, reciprocal, fixed-role, writing process, and distance tutoring. Three methods are found to be widely used, demonstrated effective, and meriting expanded…

This paper addresses developmental education programs as mechanisms for enhancing the survival rates of disadvantaged populations in higher education. Specifically, the paper identifies and discusses the critical dimensions of effective developmental education programs, including recruitment, admissions, diagnosis and prescription, orientation,…

Programs providing academic support services in colleges and universities and the evaluation of these services are reviewed. Attention is also directed to the need for opportunities in higher education for students with marginal high school academic records, and responses to the need by institutions of higher education. It is suggested that there…

The conditions and experiences of black students in higher education in the 1970s are addressed in 27 essays. The essays are categorized in terms of: history and profile; admissions and access; enrollment, academic experience, and career choice; black higher educational survival; recruitment and retention; and structural policies. Among the…