Nursing students (n=203) were provided with conventional study-skill guidelines, tutoring, and advisement assistance. An experimental group was also provided homework prescriptions based on their identified learning-style preferences. Students in experimental group achieved higher science grades; grade point averages, curiosity about science…

A study of 54 first-year engineering students at an Australian university investigated their critical thinking skills as related to 3 kinds of study strategy: surface strategy; deep strategy; and achieving strategy. Results indicated a negative correlation between critical thinking ability and the achieving study strategy. Implications for…

Two studies evaluated the effectiveness of guided notes with five secondary students with mild disabilities and three postsecondary students with learning disabilities. In both studies, use of guided notes resulted in significantly improved academic performance. (Author/DB)

To help students overcome difficulties in understanding scientific texts in English, the effect of using two reading study strategies (knowledge-map and underlining) on reading comprehension was studied. Both strategies improved performance on open-ended questioning and summarization. (Contains 32 references.) (Author/LB)

A study investigated the independent study and research skills of Year 11 secondary students (n=460) and the research and study skills instruction by teachers (n=54) in the Australian studies component of the Victoria Certificate of Education (VCE) curriculum. Results found many students not competent in using resources independently and few…

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)

Compares the effects on college students in a study skills course of five hours of instruction in outlining; networking, a form graphically organizing materials; and memory techniques and library research. Though all groups showed improvement in comprehension and retention of texts, the outlining group doubled the gains realized by the others.…

This article offers guidelines for increasing the homework completion rates of students with mild disabilities: (1) vary the amount and type of homework assignments; (2) provide motivating acts so that students complete their homework; (3) use peer-mediated strategies; and (4) involve parents in the homework process. (Author/DB)

Describes 11 learning strategies, most of which are based on an information processing theory of learning, that can be used to develop study skills. Common elements include memory, comprehension, reading for understanding or meaning, and the incorporation of new knowledge into prior learning. (nine references) (LRW)

Reports on a project that traced the moment-by-moment thought processes of 17 tertiary students enrolled in undergraduate distance education programs as they interacted with textual materials in private study settings. Data are presented on selected mediating processes, including evaluation, linking, strategy planning, generating, metacognition,…

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)

Considers the role that students' approaches to learning play in summarizing text and learning from summarization. Discusses studies of two forms of summarization, one with the text available and one with the text removed after reading but before summarization. Reports that text-absent summarization facilitates deeper processing for students who…

Monash University (Australia) students (n=320) enrolled concurrently in two courses were surveyed concerning their approaches to learning and the classroom presentation of material. Results supported the conception that an individual student's approach to studying in a course is determined in part by his perceptions of the teaching approach. (MSE)

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.…

A supplemental instruction program for first-year doctoral pharmacy students (n=136), providing review and study skills assistance, was evaluated using attendance patterns, student characteristics, and final grades. Regular attendance was significantly, positively related to final grade for minority students only. Students perceived any attendance…