Describes the Student Learning Center at the University of Missouri, Kansas City, which identifies and provides support services for high-risk courses, rather than high-risk students. Presents an evaluative research study of the supplemental instruction provided to an American history class and the effects of students' achievement and persistence.…

Research on objectives and study techniques shows that college students trained in the use of self-derived objectives performed significantly better on multiple-choice and recall tests than students not so trained. (CJ)

Presents a three-stage process for teaching the logical relationships that exist in paragraphs to aid high school students in differentiating main ideas from subordinate statements. (MKM)

Describes a plan designed to coordinate the efforts of media specialists/librarians and classroom teachers in teaching research and reference skills. (MKM)

A study found that a particular study skill system (mapping or paraphrasing) did not benefit one kind of learner (field dependent or field independent) more than another. (MKM)

The relationship among test anxiety, study skills, and academic performance was studied. It was found that, in addition to academic aptitude, a measure of effective test-taking skills and a measure of test anxiety contributed significantly to prediction of grade point average. (Author)

Notes that teaching techniques used to "build" vocabulary are not based on the ways most people acquire vocabulary. Discusses the problems and possibilities of expanding students' language usage. (RL)

Suggests that the origins of words, which have faded over time through technological advancement, should be studied with an interdisciplinary approach. Samples of words are listed with their former and present meanings. (SA)

College reading programs can be designed for limited departmental budgets and integrate reading, writing, speaking, and thinking within content areas. To teach reading successfully within content areas calls for careful coordination with the students' other academic courses. A description and evaluation of a program used at Douglass College is…

Investigated the effects and efficiency of mandatory and optional note taking by undergraduate students (n=81) during computer-based instruction. The required note takers entered notes on every screen of the HyperCard lesson; this group scored significantly higher on the post-test and took significantly longer to complete the instruction than did…

Describes an effective technique that teaches middle school students three patterns of organization extensively used by textbook authors and lecturing teachers: chronological order, cause and effect, and compare and contrast. (SR)

Research on the effects of teaching study strategies, in situations where students could choose study methods used in everyday courses, is reviewed. Among the few studies meeting rigorous criteria, none investigated whether students could adapt study tactics beyond the training context. Cautious recommendations are made for concept mapping,…

Discusses a systematic approach to six study tips recommended to introductory psychology students to improve their study skills. Presents the results of student ratings (n=114) based upon the tips for helpfulness and degree of use. Includes references. (CMK)

A British study examined nursing modules enrolling 10-174 students; proportion of grades from coursework and from examinations; and student questionnaires. Nursing students performed less well in large classes and better when more coursework than exams were assessed. In large modules, they used surface more than deep approaches to study. (SK)