An attempt was made to develop self-directedness in students through teaching them how to write questions in multiple-choice format, and by making students aware that phrasing things in multiple-choice format is a way of asking questions that is conducive to developing thinking, writing, and test-taking skills. The study, a form of reflective…

This guide to improving student persistence is the first part of a four-part series addressing the essential characteristics of effective instruction that have a positive impact on the academic achievement of Black and Hispanic students. Persistence is learned behavior, and lower-class students are more likely than middle-class students to observe…

The Early Intervention for School Success (EISS) program was designed to provide developmentally appropriate instruction in kindergarten and first grade classrooms, by providing the knowledge and skills that teachers and parents need to insure that children in California schools remain happy about learning. This goal is achieved by helping…

Students at Glasgow College who were learning mathematics in the traditional lecture/tutorial situation were compared in an experimental study to those learning mathematics using a computer aided learning (CAL) tutorial. Questionnaires were given to the students to determine both their previous experience of computers, CAL, mathematics, and…

A study measured the effectiveness of traditional classroom instruction versus computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in raising the competency levels of adults enrolled in adult basic education (ABE) classes one grade level for each 80 hours of instruction. Classes were conducted in Indianapolis and Richmond, Indiana, from November 1988 to April…

Self-directed, or independent study activities were studied in adolescents, as well as their antecedents and consequences. The interrelationships, across age and grade, of several variables were described; i.e.: course requirements and conditions, student characteristics, study activities, and school achievement. First, autonomous learning…

This exploratory study was conducted to investigate the potential interaction between the media attribute, horizontal screen placement, and a learner's cognitive aptitudes, fluid ability, and visualization. The primary hypothesis tested was that low-ability learners who are without well-developed assembly and control operations should perform…

Noting that both the structural characteristics of television and the characteristics of the viewer may influence comprehension of television news, a study tested the hypothesis that the synchronous presentation of television news will maximize learning for viewers with low prior knowledge of program content. Synchronous and nonsynchronous…

An approach to teaching logical organization of ideas in English through paragraph writing is presented. The approach is designed for Japanese high school and college students, for whom native language writing strategies and objectives are different from those of English-speakers. Four overall goals of the process of paragraph writing include: (1)…

Four approaches to examining learning styles of college students are reviewed, and the use of information about learning style in the classroom, student affairs, and in the overall college work setting is addressed. Areas where additional research is needed are identified, along with steps that colleges can take to enhance the learning process.…

Researchers have demonstrated that particular careers attract individuals with distinct identifiable personality profiles and learning styles, and this idea is extended to the selection of majors within the College of Business and Public Administration (BPA) at the University of North Dakota. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) was used both to…

This teaching guide on Indian immigrants to the United States is intended to acquaint prospective teachers with the diverse cultural backgrounds of immigrant Indian children. The unit can be incorporated into a broader multicultural teacher education program. Concepts to be taught are the following: (1) migration and immigration; (2) assimilation;…

Mathematically precocious adolescents were studied in order to identify sex differences in self-concept/self-esteem which exist at a stage when intellectual differences are emerging. Subjects were 166 males and 68 females, ages 12-15 years, enrolled in a summer residential program for talented youth. Mean SATM scores for the experimental…

Differences between reporting and classificatory functions in writing were examined in the responses of grade 10 and grade 12 students: 60 who were successful English students, and 60 on the borderline of passing in each of the grades. The reporting tasks required students to write compositions describing their first day in a high school or some…

A rethinking of the definition of excellence is called for. It is suggested that a definition of excellence must go beyond narrow issues and include attention to the nature of the teacher, the subject matter that needs to be transformed and communicated, and the diversity of learners. Upon this triad of concerns, educators are challenged not to…