The theory of plate tectonics is the conceptual model through which most dynamic processes on Earth are understood. A solid understanding of the basic tenets of this theory is crucial in developing a scientifically literate public and future geoscientists. The size of plates and scale of tectonic processes are inherently unobservable,…

Reading professionals at the college level have long taught their students multiple and varied strategies to master textbook reading and learning. Students are continuously encouraged to adapt their strategies to the discipline and the type of text they are reading. Now that students have the option to complete at least a portion of their academic…

Faculty employ a number of classroom management practices in order to create an environment that facilitates optimum learning, which can be dependent on student motivation. When certain policies are adopted, academic freedom issues may arise, specifically whether the instructor has the freedom to adopt various practices. This study explores…

As accounting instructors, we provide our students with guidance that will assist them in more effectively and efficiently learning the required material. Often, this guidance includes prescriptive advice on how to properly use their textbook. However, little evidence exists as to whether students actually follow our advice on how to use their…

The purpose of this study was to examine faculty and student perceptions of what factors are contributing to drop-out rates in a Northern Indiana higher educational facility and to study whether or not the drop-out prevention programs that are in place are effective. Survey links were sent out to all adjuncts and some full-time faculty at a local…

For over a decade national attention to bullying in American schools has increased, fueled by publicity about suicides of severely bullied youth. Schools have the charge of maintaining the safety of all students in order to ensure a positive learning environment, but there is little information about what they are doing to prevent bullying. The…

This study examines the use of student learning polls as indicators of student perceptions and influences on career exploration. No Child Left Behind requires schools that fail to make adequate yearly progress for two consecutive years to develop continuous improvement plans. The concept of career preparation for students is included in these…

Do individuals experience a change in the preferred method of learning as a result of employment? The answer to this question can greatly help educators and students be alike in the efficiency of the educational process. An introduction to this topic is provided followed by a research question and methodology for the research. Finally, results are…

Recently, there has been an increasing interest in collegiate mathematics education, especially teaching and learning calculus (e.g., Oehrtman, Carlson, & Thompson, 2008; Speer, Smith, & Horvath, 2010). Of many calculus concepts, the derivative is known as a difficult concept for students to understand because it involves various concepts…

While universities are increasingly focused on developing "green" practices on their campuses and integrating sustainability concepts into their curricula, few have considered the potential impact that their online learning programs may already be having on the environment. Online classes result in paper not printed, miles not driven and…

Many colleges and universities have a desire to become more student-centered, yet some struggle with establishing what student-centered means to them. Without a clear definition, it is difficult to determine which areas to strengthen in order to become more student-centered. The purpose of this study was to examine results from the National Survey…

Objective: To determine if post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with health risk behaviors among Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) veterans attending college. Method: Using 2008 Boynton College Student Health Survey data, we tested associations between self-reported PTSD diagnosis and self-reported risk behaviors…

Institutions of higher education rely on student surveys for a number of purposes, including planning, assessment, and research. Web surveys are especially prevalent given their ease of use and low-cost; yet, obtaining a high response rate is a challenge. Although researchers have investigated the use of incentives in traditional mail surveys,…

The renewal of quality assurance in Australian higher education comes at a time when the higher education sectors in Australia and around the world are experiencing a number of key challenges. These include: ongoing decline in public funding of universities; the massification of higher education and demand for it during global recession;…

Objective: This study investigates the effect of the introduction of voluntary student unionism and subsequent increase in campus facility fees on engagement in physical activity on campus. Participants: Participants were 1,904 students from a large regional NSW (Australia) university across 3 time periods (926 in 2005, 504 in 2006, and 474 in…