A meta analysis of research findings on the relationship between the physical environment and student behavior and achievement will lead to areas that need further investigation. Evaluation results can influence improving existing facilities and planning new ones. (MLF)

Recent meta-analyses and other studies of media's influence on learning are reviewed. Consistent evidence is found for the generalization that there are no learning benefits to be gained from employing any specific medium to deliver instruction. Problems and suggestions concerning current media attribute and symbol system theories are described.…

Nine experiments were performed to verify and extend studies on sex differences in problem solving conducted in the 1950s by Sweeney, Carey, Milton, Nakamura, and Berry. A 20-item problem set was administered to over 1,000 college students. Results indicated a male advantage, averaging 35 percent, virtually identical with 1950s results. (Author/BS)

Relates writing apprehension to a variety of measures of self-esteem and personality in 13 separate studies. (HOD)

The purpose of this review paper is to conduct an extensive meta-analysis of the empirical literature on gender difference in the use of computer-mediated communication (CMC). Specifically, the questions that this research addresses are: 1) Are there gender differences in people's behaviors in relation to CMC? If yes, to what extent? 2) What…

A meta-analysis considered the impact of various methods of improving public communication skills on critical thinking. Manuscripts were obtained by searching the available electronic databases (COMINDEX, Dissertation Abstracts, ERIC, Index to Communication Journals, PSYCHLIT), various bibliographies available on the topic, as well as the…

This study explored whether university students' perceptions of the social environment are influenced by professors' classroom teaching innovations. Data from 559 university students in 13 innovative disciplines within 11 schools at the University of Seville, Spain, were used. First, factor analytic procedures with varimax rotation were used to…

This meta-analysis seeks to provide a better understanding of the relationship between racial orientation and a person's relationship with social institutions. It explores relationships between racial group orientation and four outcome variables: educational achievement, propensity toward criminal activities, indicators of psychological…

Whether computer-assisted instruction (CAI) can improve reading achievement of students has been a crucial question addressed by studies in the past. This meta-analysis reviewed 17 research studies based on K-12 students and revealed that CAI does have a positive effect on reading achievement. Although the effects of CAI in the 17 studies were not…

With support from the John Templeton Foundation, the editors held a Summit on Acceleration at The University of Iowa in May 2003. They invited distinguished scholars and educators from around the country to help them formulate a national report on acceleration. Together, they deliberated about what schools need to know in order to make the best…

Meta-analysis of 16 evaluation studies of school programs aimed at the prevention of child sexual abuse victimization found significant and considerable mean postintervention and follow-up effect sizes, indicating that the programs were effective in teaching children sexual abuse concepts and self-protection skills. Program duration and content…

Presents a meta-analysis of cross-cultural comparisons of cognitive test scores published between 1973 and 1994. Larger performance differences were found in cross-national than in intranational (cross-ethnic) comparisons, and they were better predicted by task characteristics in intranational comparisons. Five models explaining cross-cultural…

Examines results of Piagetian spatial research studies while focusing on the existence of gender differences in Piagetian spatial assessments. Results indicate that a majority of performance assessments did not demonstrate a significant difference between males and females. Concludes that the clinical interview results provide evidence of the…

Synthesized empirical findings on job satisfaction from the first 26 volumes of "Educational Administration Quarterly." Discovered 330 job satisfaction research hypotheses and 613 relational effect sizes. Performed meta-analyses for six hypotheses, finding the largest mean effect sizes for relationships between overall job satisfaction…

Describes a study that used meta-analysis to compare the academic achievement during a 12-year period of secondary students who were instructed through traditional methods, traditional methods supplemented with computer-assisted instruction (CAI), or CAI alone. Results were compared with earlier research and indicate that the effect of CAI on…