Discusses the effects of mastery learning and criterion-referenced grading schemes on student memory and motivation to succeed. Indicates that such programs are effective in college level developmental education programs. Provides suggestions for establishing criterion-referenced grading schemes, including several variants of mastery grading…

Discusses Arthur Chickering's Seven Vectors of College Student Development in relation to the author's own growth as a freshman college student and to that of the first-year students she worked with as a developmental educator. Explains that Chickering's theory encompasses the intellectual, physical, and social growth of the student. (Contains 40…

Describes a program for potentially gifted learning-disabled (LD) college students that is designed to provide strategies for LD students to become autonomous learners and to supply graduate education students in-depth training in tutoring LD students. Provides case studies highlighting the individualized approach required to meet students' needs.…

Examines the use of partner testing, a form of cooperative learning that allows students to study and take tests with a partner. Describes results from a study allowing students to choose to use partners or not, discussing student reactions and performance. Includes guidelines for implementing partner testing. (21 citations) (MAB)

Compares the effects on college students in a study skills course of five hours of instruction in outlining; networking, a form graphically organizing materials; and memory techniques and library research. Though all groups showed improvement in comprehension and retention of texts, the outlining group doubled the gains realized by the others.…

Argues that few studies have investigated the value that students place on the use of peer responses. Describes a study that found that students did not place much value on the activity and highlights a pilot course that allows students to choose to use peer responses or not. (14 citations) (MAB)

Describes the research rationale for the developmental course offered to entering students at Upsala College (NJ) called "Precise Thinking." This skills-development program integrates reading, writing, and mathematical skills with underlying metacognitive processes to teach students perseverance and strategies for problem-solving and self-directed…

Focuses on the specifics of Supplemental Instruction (SI) sessions, and the processes that make SI so successful in helping college students get better grades, refine applied-learning skills, and increase retention. Includes a model for researching the impact of SI on student academic performance. Contains 43 references. (AS)

Proposes looking at the percent symbol (%) as an operator, which means to divide any number in front of it by 100. Stresses the importance of using correct words to describe the numbers generated in percent calculations. Explains how to (1) calculate percent using equivalent fractions; (2) divide fraction numerators by denominators, retaining the…

Describes experiences in teaching with Interactive TV (ITV) network, and the mindsets and goals educators encounter in utilizing this technology. Presents four basic principles of teaching well on TV: television technology is a brand new member of the class, every student is present in class with you, our goal is not "good TV" but a good class,…

Describes administration of the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) to three groups of United States Military Academy students in order to evaluate changes in student performance as a result of taking a student-success course (RS101). LASSI measures students' affective growth upon completion of the RS101 course and their growth in…

Describes SQ10R, a system of reading hints and strategies similar to SQ3R (that is, survey, question, read, recite, and review). Suggests that SQ10R may be more helpful to developmental students. Briefly describes the system's 12 elements: survey, question, read, reflect, review, repeat, rethink, reintegrate, rehash, renote, rehearse, and reread.…

Describes a survey of 101 students at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) to examine the efficacy of student-generated study groups. Indicates that college study groups were fairly widespread at UIC, with 34% of the total sample having participated in groups and 85% citing improvement from participation. Includes 21 citations. (MAB)

Reports on a study at North Carolina State University that examined the use of electronic mail to encourage critical literacy among college developmental reading students. States that randomly selected students were paired with professionals who served as online mentors. Reports that, after one semester, this group scored higher than the control…

Describes a study of 260 academically at-risk college freshmen, profiling their perceptions of study demands and study skills appropriate for college. Discusses student perceptions related to degree goals, academic strengths and weaknesses, tutoring services, remediation needs, peer versus expert tutoring, group versus individual studying, and…