This study explored findings from a three-year administration of the Graduating Student Questionnaire (GSQ) among member schools of the Association of Theological Schools. The GSQ is one of two instruments in the association's Student Information Project (the second is the Entering Student Questionnaire). Findings included: (1) nearly one-third of…

Supports Paul Ramsden's "call" to look beyond students' approaches to learning towards their perceptions of the educational context. The article, however, refutes Ramsden's suggestions for an analysis of student perceptions as being somewhat limited and present a method that is more qualitatively and linguistically grounded. This method was used…

Two hundred students majoring in education responded to the Validation of Effective Behaviors of Distance Instructors Inventory. The 41 items measured 2 dimensions: frequency and importance of effective behaviors in delivering distance education. Analysis suggested that the behaviors of interactive television instructors may be lacking in two…

Surveyed high school juniors and seniors about the type of information prospective college students would like to see on college Web sites. Gathered information on preferences as they relate to stage in the college selection process and on the importance of the supporting Web pages of various departments. (EV)

For thirty-seven years the Cooperative Institutional Research Program has conducted an annual survey of the students entering colleges and universities. This article highlights some of the current trends from recent surveys. (GCP)

Examined response rates and nonresponse bias across four groups administered the survey "Your First College Year": paper only, paper with Web option, Web only with response incentive, and Web only without response incentive. Found that response rates vary by mode of administration; moreover, predictors of response differed by…

Created and tested the Senior Concerns Survey. An exploratory factor analysis revealed four areas of concern for college seniors: career related concerns, change and loss related concerns, graduate/professional school related concerns, and support related concerns. (EV)

Reports on a survey of distance education students that was conducted to determine what they perceived as important in their courses, to investigate ways in which this data might be used by course directors, and to apply the data to develop a version of a service template for evaluating distance education courses. (Author/LRW)

A student satisfaction survey in a British college used input from the student charter and delivered questionnaires on paper at one campus (289 responses) and through an intranet at another (71 responses). Issues identified were embedded in the college's quality framework. (SK)

Examined extent of use and knowledge of herbal drugs by pharmacy students through a print survey completed by a convenience sample of culturally diverse students. Found a low knowledge level about popular herbal products; individual scores were affected by ethnicity, work experience, family tradition, and sources of information. Concluded that…

Finds that the majority of surveyed adult students taking a class in the three-weekend intensive format were happy with the overall format. Notes how employer reimbursement, gender, and extrinsically-oriented versus intrinsically-oriented motivation affect student satisfaction in this class format. (SR)

A retrospective survey of the career plans of college seniors considering employment in human services, law, and law enforcement revealed dramatic career uncertainty. The ambiguous career plans of these graduating students suggested the need for both broad-based liberal arts courses and more focused classes that support career exploration and goal…

Students believe they learn best when the classroom environment has a high degree of teacher support, when it contains learning enhancement activities such as relating current material to real life, and when the environment contains responsible behavior, such as faculty and students attending class consistently. (Author)

Today, students want choice in school cafeteria menus. A survey of 210 high schools found that nearly 22 percent of students were very unhappy campers; only 5.6 percent were very happy. Scores were higher in schools offering alternative selections. Food must also be attractive, tasty, and nutritious. (MLH)

A math and science teacher who surveyed former students about their most vivid memories in her class got some surprising replies. The subject matter (or comprehension thereof) mattered more than how she taught and treated her students. Compassion, encouragement, and effort were important take-home lessons. (MLH)