Investigated the relationships between (n=220) students' approaches to studying, prior knowledge, logical thinking, and gender and their performance in a nonmajors' college freshman chemistry course. Found that prior knowledge was the best predictor of achievement, followed by formal reasoning ability. (22 references) (Author/MKR)

Comparison of the study skills of 38 adult and 60 traditional-age college students in the same course found that older students had significantly higher scores on meaning orientation and lower scores on reproducing orientation and had persistence and educational attainment at least as high as that of traditional-age students. (Author/MSE)

A point system was developed to reinforce appropriate study habits and behaviors of secondary students with learning disabilities and behavior disorders. The system functioned as a bank, with students depositing their points and earning weekly interest on points saved. Students could also use points to conduct financial transactions at the…

Suggests criteria for use by learning-disabled (LD) students in selecting a college. Offers 22 suggestions to help LD students cope with college life; e.g., organize your time, develop/use study skills, set realistic goals, use a tape recorder, use tutoring services, and seek career counseling. (GFW)

Provides an account of L'anse Creuse North High School's (Michigan) efforts to practice the outcomes accreditation tasks of identifying a target goal (i.e., getting students to come to class prepared); gathering data; evaluating data and establishing a baseline; and working across curriculum lines on a target goal. Reviews results of the minimodel…

Twenty-five university students with learning disabilities were interviewed relating to specific work habits necessary for successful functioning in an undergraduate program. Only 4 of 10 work habits were reported as acquired by 70% or more of the students. There was no correlation between overall self-rating and cumulative grade point average.…

Analysis of literature concerning approaches to studying in higher education suggests that these vary systematically from one culture to another. Two common orientations are distinguished: comprehension of meaning of learning materials, and reproduction of them. The former is consistent and coherent, the latter fragmented and variable according to…

Research suggests mature college students use more desirable approaches to academic learning, adopting a deep approach (meaning orientation) more often and a surface approach less often than younger students. Explanations include motivation by intrinsic goals; acquisition of a surface approach by younger students in secondary education; and…

A correlational study examined the relationship between test performance and four study processes (encoding, word meaning, organizing, and executive control). Results with 123 college freshmen trained to use study strategies suggest that executive control is related to test performance and that trained subjects select a variety of strategies…

Out of 92 New South Wales pupils identified as talented in primary schools, 3 left school before the end of year 11, and 15 failed to place in the top 25 percent on Australian Higher School Certificate tests. Affective patterns leading to inappropriate study habits and lack of motivation were gleaned from questionnaire responses. (Author/PB)

A South Dakota survey of the parents of 560 fifth grade students found that parents supported the assignment of about 30 minutes of homework per night; most assignments were of a practice or preparational nature; and most parents had problems in helping children establish positive study routines. (SV)

Reports on college-level microeconomic classes to compare learning in short-term intensive course with traditional semester-length course. Found students in three-week courses performed better on achievement tests than those in traditional semester courses but this advantage disappeared when knowledge retention was measured. Raises policy…

The roles that knowledge, motivational variables, and approaches to study play in academic success were explored for 104 undergraduates. A path model was proposed and tested, providing a basis for beginning to understand how the approaches to study students select may mediate between knowledge, beliefs, and achievement. (SLD)

Two studies were conducted to assess students' self-reported use of cognitive study strategies. Studies compared high school students and university students' recollection of strategy use in high school with their present study behaviors. Reports suggest that students' dependence on repetition strategies may be a product of the lack of familiarity…

Approaches to Studying Inventory was administered to 503 adult students, most returning to study after many years. Results indicate low internal consistency for seven subscales. Comparison with results of mathematics instructional unit suggests learning orientations are fundamental and identifiable in students returning to study after long…