Understanding what expectations first-year students have for their first semester of college can help university faculty, staff, and administrators have a better understanding of how to best provide support and resources that meet the needs of their students and lay the necessary foundations for their academic and social success early on.…

The authors describe a collaborative group-testing strategy implemented and studied in undergraduate science classes. This project investigated how the assessment strategy relates to student performance and perceptions about collaboration and focused on two sections of an undergraduate biotechnology course taught in separate semesters.

Evaluations of the interim term or 4-1-4 program at various colleges have been generally favorable. A detailed evaluation of the Rider College interim study program based on faculty and student reports indicated that the more nontraditionally oriented courses were rated higher than the more traditional offerings. (Editor/PG)

The calendar innovation at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh is evaluated in this FIPSE-supported project. Five objectives are addressed: (1) assessment of changes in campus activities, climate, and attitudes of students, faculty, administrators, and the Oshkosh community; (2) measurement of student and faculty attitudes toward unique…

A trend toward adoption of the early-semester calendar, which runs from August to May with exams before Christmas vacation is discussed, along with other changes in college scheduling for curriculum development, increased efficiency, student job scheduling, student retention, and decreased paperwork. (MSE)

This study compared students' learning experiences in a set of courses in British literature and a set of courses in marketing, in which each set included a course taught in an intensive format and a semester-long format with the same instructor and content. Data collection included participant observation, videotaped class sessions,…