This Ontario-based qualitative study examined secondary school and college textbooks' treatment of trigonometric representations in order to identify potential sources of student difficulties in the transition from secondary school to college mathematics. Analysis of networks, comprised of trigonometric representations, identified numerous issues…

This is a preliminary study of (community) college mathematics instructors. Through interviews of twelve instructors we explore each individual's educational background and path to the college, as well as his/her preparation for and feelings about teaching. The purpose of this study is to add to the emerging research on college mathematics…

This article summarizes my experiences in developing an educational initiative known as the Career Fair Project within the curriculum of the Legal Administration/Law Clerk program at Durham College over the past ten years. A performance-based, student-centered project, the Career Fair empowers students to work collaboratively with one another in…

The experience of seven community college instructors was documented as they applied, for the first time, principles and characteristics of constructivist pedagogy to the design of learning activities. The instructors became a community of learners as they collaborated and shared their experiences among themselves. They reported improvements in…

Examines the differential effects of five job satisfaction variables (i.e., work, supervision, co-workers, pay, and promotion) on community college developmental educators in New York. Satisfaction with the work itself, promotion opportunities, and co-workers had the greatest influence on teachers' commitment to the college and propensity to leave…

Assesses the effectiveness of Northwest Mississippi Junior College's 1984 Summer Youth Employment Training Program, which involved 133 disadvantaged learners between the ages of 14 and 21 in an eight-week educational program focusing on remediation in mathematics and communication skills, career exploration, and job-search skills. Reviews related…

Examines the relationship among locus of control, commitment to college, and academic performance and retention of community college students enrolled in introductory baccalaureate courses. Finds locus of control, objectives, and commitment minimally related to performance, but more strongly related to retention. (Author/AYC)

Studies the relationship between video game playing and academic achievement. Compares matched groups of community college psychology students, differing in the amount of their game playing. There were no differences between frequent and infrequent players on measures of psychology class attendance, locus of control, or grade point average.…

Compares the instructional effectiveness of full- and part-time faculty teaching 38 sections of English 1101 at Miami-Dade Community College. Using grades in the next English course and scores on a competency-based exit exam as measures of subsequent achievement, finds no differences between the students of full- and part-time faculty. (Author/AYC)

Ron Lippitt discusses the possibility of using community development theories and strategies as a research perspective for studying new ways to govern and manage community colleges. Contrasts community development and organizational development, identifies key reference sources, and highlights strategies that might lead to productive start-ups and…

Reviews research on the use of part-time faculty in community colleges, focusing on employment trends; impacts and concerns; economic advantages; the effects of funding uncertainty; part-time faculty members' expertise, instructional quality, socialization, and selection; standardization of process and teaching skills; and implications for…

Reports on a study of the effects of seven preenrollment characteristics (i.e., ability, socioeconomic status, race, sex, high school program, high school grades, and educational aspirations) and three student-institutional characteristics (i.e., entry status, full/part-time status, and curriculum type) on student retention in college. Looks at…

Describes a study of the effects of the demographic characteristics and teaching experience of full- and part-time science and humanities faculty on the type of instructional materials used in class, the number of pages of required reading, self-preparation of instructional materials, and the degree of participation in material selection. (DMM)

Describes how growing state occupational license laws that require passing examinations create a large demand for education. Reports on a study of the exam-preparation methods of applicants taking the California contractors' license examination. Sees a role for community colleges in preparing license candidates. (DMM)

Views marketing techniques as agents of change providing valuable assistance to community college decision makers. Discusses the importance of a balance among the four P's of marketing (i.e., promotion, price, place, and product); and seven procedural steps in developing a sound marketing strategy. (DMM)