This study examined ways in which teachers use their own experiences and those of their colleagues to become better teachers, based on case studies of a group of eight physics teachers engaged in collaborative action research. Two perspectives on teaching that have framed other inquiries are first discussed: the teacher knowledge perspective,…

A survey was conducted to determine the status of career-oriented education programs at the middle-grade level and perceptions of state education agency officials with responsibilities in the program areas. Mailed questionnaires were returned by 43 (86 percent) state directors of education and 290 (82 percent) supervisors in 8 career-oriented…

A study was undertaken at Amarillo College (AC), in Texas, to evaluate the services offered by the college and generate data to provide a basis for personnel planning, the continuation of programs, and the development of new programs. Computerized surveys were developed to ensure increased efficiency in tabulating results and to standardize the…

The following papers are presented in this book: "Self-Directed Learning: Consensus and Conflict" (Long); "Challenges in the Study and Practice of Self-Directed Learning" (Long); "A Conceptual Model of Autodidactism" (Tremblay, Theil); "Functional and Dysfunctional Uses of Self-Directedness in Adult…

This essay examines language simplification for second language learners as a linguistic and a pedagogic phenomenon, posing questions for further study by considering past research. It discusses linguistic simplification (LS) in relation to the development of artificial languages, such as Esperanto, "pidgin" languages, Basic English,…

This book provides a synthesis of wide-ranging research on student attrition at American colleges and universities and outlines actions that institutions can and should take to reduce attrition. The key to effective retention is shown to lie in a strong commitment to quality education and the building of a strong sense of inclusive educational and…

This study assessed how in- and out-of-class experiences influenced diverse students' learning and development in college. The study took place at two community colleges, one with a predominant minority group of Hispanics, the other with a large African American minority group. There researchers conducted focus groups with 3-6 students per group…

This report examines the results of an international study of higher education systems, based on surveys of approximately 1,000 faculty in each of the following nations: United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Russia, Sweden, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Israel, and Australia. Findings are organized around seven…

This study examined the extent to which minority individuals with baccalaureate origins as non-traditional students (baccalaureates completed at age 25 or over) completed doctoral degrees in science and engineering. It compared the efficacy of their degree completion, i.e., elapsed time and registered time to degree, with that of counterparts with…

In 1990, a study was conducted at Snead State Junior College (SSJC) of students who were enrolled at the college in fall 1989 or winter 1990 but did not return in the subsequent quarter. Of 661 students identified as nonreturning, 489 were surveyed by telephone to determine their reasons for not returning. Demographic data on these students were…

Student involvement theory defines student involvement as the amount of physical and psychological energy that a student devotes to the academic experience. Research on student involvement conducted at community colleges and universities has shown that the quality of time spent was a more important factor in explaining student achievement than…

These proceedings contain the following 14 papers: "Relationship between the Training Needs of Sales/Marketing Trainers and Their Career Stages" (Isaac B. Owolabi); "A Report of a Marketing Education Professional Development Activity to Provide Training for Teachers in the Use of the Nominal Group Technique" (Stephen R. Lucas, Benton E. Miles);…

A project was conducted to gather data on the outcomes of homemaking and consumer education programs in Illinois. The project also developed instruments and processes that will allow teachers to gather data in their school districts and store the data using a microcomputer. Data collection instruments were based on outcome statements as reported…

A study of biliteracy focuses on discourse as the unit of analysis needed to understand the task facing bilingual students. It investigated the way in which 22 high school students representing six different language groups in a bilingual basic skills course struggled with scientific language in an experiment on the community's drinking water.…

International Business Machines Corporation's (IBM) efforts to develop a corporate culture are associated with its founder, Thomas J. Watson, Sr. From the start of his association with the company in 1914, the importance of education was stressed. The expansion of the education and training organization paralleled IBM's 75-year growth. In January…