Analyzes the literature concerning learning centers. Concludes that there are two definitions of the term, one meaning the improvement of a student's ability to learn independently, primarily through learning skills instruction and counseling, and the other meaning the individualizing of instruction and learning activities through the use of…

To decrease nursing students' anxiety during psychomotor skills testing in learning laboratories, paid peer instructors were trained to assist. Over 3 years, 270 students participated and reported positive outcomes. (SK)

Computer science and other computer related fields are faced with the high velocity of change in technology. Far more important than the knowledge of a particular software package is the liberal education skills that are learned in the process. This paper reviews the laboratory component of a new computer science course offered at Miami University…

The Learning Laboratory component of the Department of Educational Program Support at the University of Wisconsin at Parkside was evaluated during the academic year 1983-1984 to monitor laboratory and material usage, determine from what areas students were referred, and identify their reasons for laboratory use. The laboratory was part of a…

According to Benjamin Bloom's (1981) concept of of mastery learning, most students--given the appropriate instruction and learning resources, adequate time spent learning, and perseverance--can learn a particular academic skill. Because a classroom often does not provide enough time or resources for developmental students to master necessary basic…

College and university learning centers have evolved from narrowly defined remedial services to agencies serving the entire student community. The changing role of learning centers necessitates systematic program evaluation and assessment of student needs. During 1975, the Colorado State University Learning Laboratory staff collected data on…

Challenges and approaches for academic skills improvement programs for college students are discussed. Important prerequisites are a needs assessment and long-range plan and an academic skills improvement program based on theory and existing models. Identifying a set of supportive people with power and resources at an institution is also needed.…

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…

Four assumptions about factors leading to writing improvement may be related to instruction in supplemental writing laboratories (or "writing labs") that use tutorial conferencing to serve students needing help with classroom assignments or specific skills. The assumptions and their relation to writing lab instruction are as follows: (1)…

Discusses the language laboratory as a means of developing practical abilities in a foreign language. Two topics are treated specifically: (1) the laboratory from a technical and theoretical perspective, and (2) an analysis of the language skills most effectively trained through use of the language laboratory. (AMH)

This paper examines four studies, integrated into regular courses for the preparation of secondary school teachers at the University of Tuebingen (Germany), that assessed the effectiveness of an interaction laboratory to enhance social competence, as well as lecturing skills. The program involved formal instruction; symbolic modeling and…

The articles in this collection focus on learning assistance and other components of college reading instruction. The topics of the 35 articles include the following: (1) charting a realistic course for learning assistance, (2) modern measurement technology, (3) a national survey of learning assistance evaluation, (4) students' cognitive…

Acknowledging that one of the most difficult challenges postsecondary educators must face is the maintenance of adequate student enrollment, this paper describes the creation of a speech communication laboratory as one component of a university-wide effort to maximize student retention. The paper first discusses several suggestions researchers…

Texts of conference papers and summaries of colloquia on computers and second language learning are presented, including: "Computers, Language Learning, and the Four Skills" (summary of a session with Steve McGuire, Albert Dudley, Patricia Thornton, Paul Jaquith, Jay Lundelius, Steve Tripp); "Creating Your Own Software--The Easy Way" (Steve…