Describes two Personalized Systems of Instruction (PSI) courses in Engineering Dynamics taught at the University of Western Ontario. Factors contributing to difference in achievement between the two courses are described. (SL)

Reports cost and academic achievement differences between a traditional course and a Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) fluid mechanics course taught at San Jose State University. The PSI course cost 7.3 percent more than the lecture course; grades were 48 percent higher on a 4 point maximum scale. (SL)

Discusses the use of Problem-Solving Laboratory (PSL) courses for giving engineering students authentic design experience and knowledge of how to go about solving real world problems. (SL)

Describes a computer graphics program for teaching engineering students basic principles of multiview projections with two preprocessors to simplify student involvement with computer languages. (SL)

Some factors related to the reentry of adult females to post secondary education, as reported in recent literature, are reviewed. Barriers and opportunities in continuing education, current theories and research on career choice for women, and sex bias in counseling and interest inventories are discussed. (GDC)

The effects of imagery on children's learning of verbal materials is reviewed. Paired associate learning is emphasized, with some discussion of recall, recognition, visual discrimination and prose learning. Visual versus verbal images, elaborated versus unelaborated stimuli, induced images, and physical manipulation of learning materials are…

Cheating in the classroom appears to be widespread at all levels of American education. This research review examines: (1) characteristics of cheaters, (2) situational factors influencing the student's decision to cheat or not to cheat, and (3) reasons for cheating, as reported by students. (Author/GDC)

The reward structure of a classroom refers to the rules under which students are reinforced for academic achievement. Various types of interpersonal reward structures--competitive, cooperative, and independent--are discussed. Studies of the effects of rewards on performance, attitudes and interpersonal relations are reviewed, emphasizing…

The rationale for a constructivist approach to behavioral and social science research, and studies which have applied this methodology, are reviewed. The author suggests that ethnographic techniques of explaining behavior patterns may be as valuable as or more appropriate than traditional behavioral science methods. (GDC)

According to a recent study of fifth grade students' self concept and cooperative behavior, high self concept pairs produced the most competitive behavior, while low self concept pairs demonstrated the most cooperative behavior. White students were more competitive than black students. No significant sex differences were found. (Author/MV)

Equivalent forms of listening comprehension, oral reading, and oral reading comprehension tasks in (1) standard English, (2) black English, standard orthography, and (3) black English, nonstandard orthography were administered to black, inner-city children. Subjects scored highest on black English, standard orthography and lowest on black English,…

This study examined the extent to which learning disabled students scored poorly on a reading readiness test administered when they entered school, the incidence of undiagnosed oral language deficits among these learning disabled children, and the predictive relationships between reading readiness skills and components of oral language. (Author/MV)

The relationship between the pupil control orientation of schools and the personal development of students were investigated. Data were collected from teachers and students in 40 high schools. Results indicated that the more custodial the pupil control orientation of the school, the less inner directed, time competent, and self-actualized the…

The effect of test-wise behavior on mental ability and achievement test performance was investigated. When test-wise and test-naive college students were instructed in test-taking skills, both groups demonstrated significant gains in test wiseness. While instruction did not affect test performance, the test-wise subjects performed more…

College students' ratings of their instructors used for the purpose of promotion were compared with those obtained for the purpose of teachers' self-improvement. The students also provided reasons for rating their instructors as they did. Results indicated that students do not rate their instructors differently for either type of questionnaire.…