A national survey obtained information from students who undertook vocational education and training (VET) during 1998 at a Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institute in Australia. Data came from graduates (students who completed their course and graduated with a qualification from a course) and module completers (students who successfully…

This report presents the findings from a personal computer (PC) and Internet Survey administered to Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) students in spring 1999. The survey measured students' access to and knowledge of personal computers, e-mail, and the Internet--both at home and at work. There was a 65% response rate, with 353 of 540…

This descriptive study has two phases. The first phase describes the mechanism for online collaboration. The second phase quantifies collaborative interaction. The coding design was partially based on ProjectH, a research study from 1992-94 involving a large number of collaborators from several countries who worked together to study worldwide…

This report examines the experiences of secondary school students in the former City of Toronto inside and outside of school using data from the 1997 Every Secondary Student Survey. Student experiences are looked at within the context of their demographic backgrounds. In 1997, almost half the students were nonnative speakers of English,…

This paper reports on the results of a usability study that investigated the suitability of using an open systems approach for developing an online assessment application. Issues examined included ease of use, security, effectiveness, and ease of maintenance. Participants were 68 preservice teachers taking a technology integration course. Students…

This report, based on a recent survey of over 8,000 primary and secondary pupils in England, explores why some pupils choose to read and others do not. The research literature shows that reading for pleasure benefits children in numerous ways. Yet, research also shows that young people's reading enjoyment may be declining. Given current political…

Nonscience majors in introductory science courses participated in focus groups to discuss their feelings about the courses. First-day issues were chief on their list as a source of science anxiety. Both general studies students and science-related major students asked for a different approach to the first day of class. Offers first-day strategies…

Describes a study that assessed how students and parents perceived a postsecondary enrollment options program that admits high school students to special college courses. Presents findings that indicate both groups had positive perceptions, but parents tended to view the program as a career planning tool, whereas students perceived it as an…

Describes a survey that was conducted involving participants in the library instruction program at two Canadian universities in order to describe the characteristics of students receiving instruction in Web searching. Examines criteria for evaluating Web sites, search strategies, use of search engines, and frequency of use. Questionnaire is…

Describes an in-class exercise designed to teach basic principles of survey methodology and to educate students about the pervasiveness and problems associated with shyness in college students. Students complete a brief survey on shyness and the instructor summarizes the results for the class as part of a lecture on survey methodology. (MJP)

A study surveyed 19 student teachers placed in rural Saskatchewan communities and their cooperating teachers. Advantages of rural placements were better acquaintance with students and families, high community involvement, supportive atmosphere, opportunities to engage in various activities, fewer discipline problems, and rural lifestyle.…

A survey of students in 179 Missouri high schools found that rural, male, and minority students watched more television than their counterparts; that rural students' perceptions of environmental safety impacted the length of television watching; and that the difference in viewing time between white and minority students was smaller in rural areas…

This study compared the learning attitudes of 131 undergraduate medical students enrolled in sections of a course that used a problem-based learning (PBL) approach with 120 students enrolled in sections using conventional teaching methods. Student surveys indicated that the PBL course experience was perceived as a personally more meaningful…

Discusses student participation in campus focus groups to identify what did and did not work in the transfer process, and what should be improved. Distinguishes course transfer, inter-and intra-institutional communications, and advising as major points of concern in transferring. (VWC)

A study of 451 Navajo youths attending 11 high schools in the Navajo Nation found no relationship between their academic achievement and their cultural attachments and practices. Families modestly influenced educational outcomes, but being female was a stronger predictor of academic success. An appendix describes study variables. (Contains 42…