This article explores the reasons that Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) at the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW), commonly called PASS-UIW, has been successful in science courses at the University. The intent is to provide information for other institutions to launch, evaluate, or improve their own programs. PASS-UIW is a student-led…

Many students who enter colleges and universities seem to be focused on memorizing and regurgitating information rather than on developing critical thinking and problem solving skills. Mentoring is crucial to help these students transition from the current approach to one that will be successful in college. Successful mentoring requires a…

Describes the author's research on learning and brain activity, which involved more than 5,000 students and faculty members. Explores six stages of learning: (1) preparing to learn; (2) starting to learn; (3) consolidation; (4) branching out; (5) gaining fluency; and (6) continued improving. States that merging educational research with…

Argues that the TRPP (Theory, Research, Practice, Principles) model provides a framework that helps teachers to cross the divide between theory and practice. Explains that the ultimate goal is to maximize student potential, particularly through critical reflection. Presents principles with a specific example for practice. (Contains 18 references.)…

Describes psychometric issues associated with three different learning styles models (visual, auditory, and haptic), and the instruments designed to assess those models. Presents some background to the learning styles idea along with suggestions for utilizing this information with developmental students. The learning styles instruments discussed…

Modifies the concept of Supplemental Instruction to explore cognitive and developmental factors of high school students. Intensive Developmental Instruction (IDI) was used in a pre-college summer program. Preliminary results indicate that high schools students perform as well as college students and demonstrate a correlation between the grade…

Seeks to determine if differences exist in learning styles between developmental "at-risk" college students and college peer-tutors. Finds that through the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), differences existed on the Judging-Perceiving scale. Discusses academic skills related to this scale along with suggestions peer-tutors can use…

Presents case studies of four college students applying new study strategies, taught and demonstrated in class during one semester, to improve reading and learning. Finds that students need to see a correlation between a study strategy and their final grade before they will utilize deep-level study strategies in place of surface-level strategies.…

Describes the results of a study that tracked college algebra students who had previously completed an Academic Assistance mathematics course that facilitated collaborative learning. Only 53% of all students who enrolled in college algebra in fall 1994 earned grades of C or higher, but 95% of students who had previously participated in the…

Asserts that teaching as a political act, a construct supported by critical theorists, is appropriate for the developmental educator. Education is a means of exciting the active and critical minds of students, of breaking through the boundaries of traditional learning on college campus through authentic dialogue and the critical exploration of the…

Describes a new method of evaluating the Supplemental Instruction (SI) model as implemented in a high-risk biology course at an urban multicultural university campus. Examination grades indicated that the average grade of participants in classes that had SI sessions was significantly higher than that of participants in classes where SI sessions…

Evaluates the "fit" between literacy educators and Internet use through survey and written journal responses during an Internet course. Literacy educators were drawn to teacher-teacher e-mailing, electronic (telecommunications) library research, to the Web, and to a far lesser extent listserv subscriptions and e-mailing for classroom students.…

Describes the Conditional Acceptance Program (CAP), an intervention program geared towards underprepared, underachieving entering college freshmen. Identifies key program components while establishing the primary theoretical basis or rationale for each, and encourages the reader to critically evaluate and reflect upon various and integrated…

Examines the research and theory about attention deficit disorder (ADD) in college students and discusses how learning assistance professionals can better assist college students with ADD. Appended in this article are strategies for faculty/learning center professionals in accommodating students with ADD and a list of suggested readings. Contains…