Teaching academics are under pressure to move away from traditional lecture-tutorial teaching modes to less traditional forms. Such pressures are in addition to changes to funding arrangements and other developments that increasingly oblige universities to operate as businesses. The flow-on effects for teachers are increased student:staff ratios,…

This study reports on science student perceptions of their skills (scientific knowledge, oral communication, scientific writing, quantitative skills, teamwork and ethical thinking) as they approach graduation. The focus is on which teaching activities and assessment tasks over the whole programme of study students thought utilised each of the six…

Kaplan Educational Centers and Sylvan Learning Centers, private remedial instruction programs, are being used increasingly to move students through college remedial programs more quickly, either through oversight or teaching. One uses its own instructors; the other hires teachers already employed by client colleges. Some find the services…

Common notions about what college writing centers are and do are examined so that faculty and students may understand how to make the best use of them. Issues discussed include their organizational status and role, audience, and specific functions and activities. The structure and objectives of tutoring sessions is briefly addressed. (MSE)

A tutorial model, developed at Ramapo College of New Jersey, that has proven to be cost-effective and highly successful in improving the performance of remedial mathematics students is described. Most of the recruited peer tutors are former remedial/developmental students. (MLW)

This report of a conference dedicated to the growth of professionalism within the field of learning assistance begins with a brief introduction reviewing the origins and objectives of the sponsoring association, followed by 10 representative papers. The papers have the following titles and authors: "The Classroom Research Project: Results at…

Described are some of the teaching innovations used in a large university chemistry department in Britain. They include diagnostic testing and individual tutoring; self-instruction centers for remedial teaching, complementary services, and specialist materials; new laboratory approaches; and innovations to develop skills needed by chemistry…

A series of highly structured, criterion-referenced, small-group discussion tutorials were designed to be used with a large introductory lecture course, Biology of Mankind, that is taught at the University of New South Wales. The design of these tutorials and their role in achieving course objectives are discussed. (JMD)

Argues that methods of assessing effectiveness of university supplemental instruction (SI) programs (in which successful students provide additional instruction to students in high-risk courses) have been inadequate. Suggests ways of isolating SI effects on student achievement, and recommends broadening research methods to include qualitative…

A university English department's writing center uses peer tutors trained in questioning, explanation, and constructive criticism techniques. Among the issues raised are tutoring adult students and writing across the curriculum. The program has been an effective method of encouraging good writing. (MSE)

Twenty-nine unedited papers presented at the Second National Conference on Research and Technology in College and University Teaching are collected and grouped into nine sessions. Topics covered include student participation, audio-tutorial vs. conventional learning, selection and characteristics of proctors, the use of learning contracts, testing…

Courseware was developed to facilitate knowledge transfer between lecture and laboratory for general chemistry at the University of Notre Dame (Indiana). One project uses a tutorial strategy. Another uses tool-based courseware for modeling and manipulation of simulated representations of chemical systems; worksheets guide student use of courseware…

The Videotutoring via AppalNet project at Appalachian State University in North Carolina offers supplementary, tutorial assistance to students in certain high risk courses such as history, biology, and mathematics. This program enables instructors to tape test review sessions which are broadcast live and then later rebroadcast at other times on…

Eight New Jersey State colleges which shared essentially the same goals and offered similar financial aid packages were studied in order to determine the relationship between persistence rates of disadvantaged students in opportunity programs and the role of faculty in such programs. Student data were provided by New Jersey's Equal Opportunity…

A state-wide survey of Pennsylvania colleges sought to document the developmental education programming and remedial services these institutions offer their students. A 100-item questionnaire was sent to all 189 institutions that award undergraduate degrees and certifications. Eighty institutions responded. Findings include the following: (1) most…