This digest presents information for parents regarding science and math homework. The benefits of homework are discussed and guidelines for gauging the amount of time spent on homework are given. Suggestions for family policies and procedures for helping children complete homework assignments are also presented. (WRM)

According to a study of 387 fifth-through ninth- grade students, distraction is a situationally influenced phenomenon, and students actively think about their study environments. A high percentage of students study with radio or television on, although it appears that these distractors should be removed from the ideal study environment.…

Two studies examined factors influencing the study approach of Australian college freshmen and seniors from a traditional psychometric perspective, supported by student comments. The first found that student interest, grades, and essay examinations encourage serious study; the second, that serious students see courses as encouraging independence…

Discusses five study skills areas that need to be stressed in working with women who have returned to college: time management, text study approaches, note taking, preparation for examinations, and taking examinations. (FL)

Study results indicated that: (l) male Indian students suffer little test anxiety or study stress, and their study habits are influenced by their motivation; (2) female Indian students worry about studying and have difficulty budgeting time; (3) Indian and White students from rural backgrounds are unskilled in note taking. (CM)

Analyzes the comparative effects of three types of instructor intervention into the self-pacing of remedial college English students: a precourse warning about procrastination problems, a telephone call to students who are falling behind, and a mailed postcard to students who fail to keep up. (JP)

Freshmen placed the greatest responsibility for their low grades on their own lack of motivation, improper study habits, and inattention to school work. Because of the predicted decline in the number of college-age youths in the 1980s, schools need to put more emphasis on retaining students. (Author)

A survey of university economic students given the chance to use computer assisted instruction (CAI) for supplemental study determined that black students spent less time using CAI, while students who were older, who had greater access to computers, who had taken a course in computer operations, and who highly rated the importance of CAI to their…

Development of a computerized questionnaire and inventory designed to identify college students with weak or ineffective study skills is described. The instruments are part of a computer software package being developed to support students and faculty in improving study skills. The rationale under which students are advised in the program is also…

Examined factors contributing to individual differences in the educational attainment of African American young adults from families of low socioeconomic status. Subjects were 123 participants and their families. Found that characteristics of the participants at the time of school entry were predictive of the participants' achievement and…

Described is a method which can be used to teach children how to study science. Included are suggestions for efficient use of the textbook, how to learn in the laboratory, hints for note-taking, how to ask questions, and how to study for tests. (CW)

A study with 317 college freshmen found that the utility of the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory to predict academic achievement, beyond that which could already be predicted by student background and entry-level variables, was quite limited. (MSE)

Examines the study strategies of successful and unsuccessful learners to determine whether successful learners differ qualitatively in their information processing from unsuccessful learners. Finds that, the successful students were more active, purposeful, and flexible in their strategy use. Finds that although unsuccessful students were less…

Self-monitoring is an important part of self-regulated learning. While researchers agree on the overt features of self-monitoring, its psychological dimensions are disputed. Faculty can help college students learn formal, systematic techniques by teaching it in four phases: baseline, structured, independent, and self-regulated self-monitoring. A…

Describes the procedures and results of a two-year project to improve the learning skills of first-year college students, focusing on aspects of students' daily lives and on effective study actions, strategies, and attitudes. Student achievement was higher than a comparative cohort, and differences were maintained into the second year. (DMM)