Discusses the effectiveness of computer mediated communication (CMC) in higher education. Highlights include a review of pertinent literature; factors associated with successful CMC resources; activity theory; helping users establish a shared purpose; methodological problems; evaluation methods; a conferencing system; and the patterns and content…

A three-year longitudinal study surveyed newly hired faculty (n=259) at five higher education institutions concerning adjustment factors and research productivity. Results suggest that perceived control, the milieu of research-oriented institutions, and age (but not gender) are important predictors of faculty research productivity. (DB)

Composite reading performance data from 223 pairs of identical twins and 169 same-gender fraternal twins in which at least one member was classified with reading disability were subjected to multiple regression analysis. Results indicated that the genetic etiology of reading disability differs as a linear function of IQ. (Contains extensive…

Describes a study that investigated the effects of cognitive style (field dependent and field independent) and online database search experience (novice and experienced) on undergraduate World Wide Web search performance. Considers user factors to predict search efficiency and discusses implications for Web interface design and user training…

Data from the National Education Longitudinal Study, 1988-94, were used to examine career-related characteristics of rural and nonrural secondary students. The best predictors of transition status were occupational aspiration for college-bound youth, socioeconomic status (SES) for rural work-bound students, and SES and vocational education for…

The Census Bureau's 1999 Survey of Income and Program Participation found that Internet access and computer use by people with visual impairments is substantially (30 percent) less than that for people with no disabilities. Age, employment, and the presence of additional impairments also affected computer use. Results suggest over a million…

Draw-a-Person (DAP) samples from 108 adolescents and adults with mental retardation were scored using Naglieri's cognitive and emotional disturbance scoring systems. Visual-motor skills emerged as the best predictor of DAP cognitive scores, more predictive than intelligence. Findings suggest caution in using DAP as an index of intelligence or as a…

Well-disciplined schools make appropriate school discipline a part of every curriculum, program, and practice. Key organizational variables include staff and community involvement, sensitivity to students' racial and socioeconomic concerns, and effective intervention strategies, such as the anger-management seminars, awareness discussion groups,…

This study examined the extent of burnout among elementary teachers in very small Seventh Day Adventist schools with multigraded classes. Surveys indicated that 71% experienced moderate to high emotional exhaustion and 60% experienced low personal accomplishment. Predictors of burnout included attitudes toward students, satisfaction with teaching,…

Uses the various strategies involved in baseball to illustrate basic concepts in game theory. Specifically discusses Willie Mays' base-stealing strategy and how it relates to probability and risk. Reminds students that expected results depend on adopted assumptions. (MJP)

Measures persistence rate differences between two-year-degree and four-year-degree students, using a longitudinal retention study that analyzed academic and demographic variables in the student database. Identifies first-semester hours and grade point average as significant dropout predictors. Concludes that associate degree students have better…

Examined if and how differences in functioning of single-mother and two-parent families relate to occurrence of behavioral problems among inner-city boys ages 10-15. Findings included (1) multiple family risk factors contribute to occurrence of behavior problems; (2) most family risk factors were generalizable to both single-mother and two-parent…

Examined relations between U.S., Korean, and Chinese adolescents' misconduct and their perceptions of others' behavior and attitudes toward youth misconduct. Found that U.S. youths engaged in more misconduct than other groups. Perceived behavior and sanctions of close friends were strongest predictors of misconduct in all cultures. Found unique…

This article reviews the most frequent causes of seizure disorders in young children and the classification of different seizure types. It discusses current therapies, including alternatives to medication. Emergency response to seizures is covered a well as non-epileptic episodes that may resemble seizures. Epilepsy's potential impact on the…

This longitudinal study examined predictors of second-grade reading outcomes in kindergarten children (N=604). Findings indicated that five kindergarten variables uniquely predicted reading outcomes in second grade: (1) letter identification, (2) sentence imitation, (3) phonological awareness, (4) rapid naming, and (5) mother's education.…