Analysis of 143 educator interviews and 40 student focus groups showed that educators in a school-based substance use and drug education program in California used a no-substance-use approach through fear messages. Survey responses of 5,045 secondary school students showed that students were not very greatly influenced. (SLD)

Surveys and analyzes preschoolers' and kindergartners' picture book choices by genre, familiarity, and four book attributes. Demonstrates that emergent readers appear to demonstrate genre preferences. Finds that children select familiar books more often and select books with a simple text. Counters previously held assumptions that emergent readers…

Investigates whether students who had access to Internet study rooms would make use of them for out-of-class group study and how students perceived their online group study experience in comparison with face-to-face group study in an introductory biology class. Survey results indicate that 47 students used online study rooms. (Author/SOE)

Surveyed students and faculty at Louisiana State University about the use of animals for teaching surgery. Found that they favored the practice, finding it helpful for learning aseptic technique and suturing skills but less so for learning tissue handling, dissection, hemostasis, or anesthesia. (EV)

Surveyed college students to determine which aspects of the educational experience are important in influencing student satisfaction. Found that "student centeredness,""campus climate," and "instructional effectiveness" have a strong impact, and that recruitment strategies may require emphasizing different aspects of…

Surveyed students and supporting organizations about their decision considerations regarding enrolling in and supporting an executive master of business administration (EMBA) program. The findings from this studyprovide direction for EMBA directors in strengthening recruiting efforts toward both students and organization sponsors. (EV)

To determine academic performance and retention patterns, 229 African American freshmen men were surveyed about their adaptation to college using cognitive and noncognitive measures. Statistically significant relationships were between high school grades, high school rank, and several noncognitive variables and students' academic performance and…

Discusses the role that online instructors should take when facilitating asynchronous discussion forums. Presents a study of an online astronomy program in an Australian university that investigated ways that the rate at which instructors posted and how often the instructors initiated discussions correlated to student posting rates and student…

Describes a study that evaluated the impact and use of laptop computers when they were required for graduate information and library science (ILS) students at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Topics include results of online and email surveys; student perspectives; previous computer experience; computer skills; and institutional…

Survey of high school teachers' and students' concerns about the academic performance of incoming 9th grade students. Finds teachers' major areas of concerns are time management, motivation, and homework. Students' greatest concerns are study habits, self-regulation, and test anxiety. Used survey results to develop strategies to improve student…

Describes part of a project that investigated pupils' attitudes to National Curriculum core and foundation subjects at Key Stage 3 during 1993 and 1994 in a range of schools across South Wales. Reports that English remains very popular (second only to physical education) among boys and girls, though particularly among girls. (TB)

Representative samples of 10-, 14-, and 17-year-old Israeli students, about 2,000 in each, responded to background questionnaires and a battery of tests and scales concerning their conceptions of the nature of science and views about the scientific enterprise. A comparison is made between Israeli, British, and U.S. students. (LZ)

The understanding concerning radioactivity and radiation of pupils ages 11-16 was studied using a closed-form questionnaire with a large cohort of children and interviews with subsets of this group. A majority of children demonstrated confusion about the environmental impacts of radioactivity and radiation. (LZ)

Survey results reveal trainee primary teachers are well informed about the nature and location of the ozone layer and appreciated that it screens the earth from ultraviolet (UV) rays, although some thought that it protects the earth from acid rain. Identifies themes in students' thinking and groups of students with different concepts. (LZ)

Preschool children interviewed in small groups identified expected characteristics of a garden as part of a needs assessment. Students identified gardening activities they anticipate doing themselves. The young children's expectations were used to design and construct a garden that would have strong appeal to this age group. (LZ)