Trends in college student mobility to/from the Netherlands are examined, and specific themes are discussed in the context of public policy: recognition periods of study abroad; teaching/studying of English as a Second Language; personal learning styles in a new environment; quality assurance; employer evaluation of study abroad experience; and…

Several issues in college student mobility between Japan and other member countries of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) are examined, including the role of organized regional mobility in various areas of the world, curriculum development to meet the needs of international students, and the need for more analysis of…

Focuses on the discussion of whether "none of the above" (NOTA) questions should be used on tests. Discusses a study in which a protocol analysis was conducted on written statements of examinees while answering NOTA items. Explains that a multiple-choice test was given to university students finding that NOTA options seem to be more attractive.…

Presents the results of a study focusing on comparisons between teachers using a conventional, formal, direct approach when teaching five-year old children mathematical skills ("Official" method) and teachers employing a more interactive, collaborative, supportive approach ("High Scope" method). Includes references. (CMK)

Examines how children, ages four to ten years old, construct conventional time by using different tools to locate events in time. Explains that the children underwent an interview task and a card arrangement task. Finds that younger children use relative locations while older children utilize absolute locations. (CMK)

Examines the conversational styles and value preferences of Estonian mothers living in Estonia and Sweden. Adolescents and their mothers were videotaped in their homes during mealtime. States that there are differences in conversational styles, explaining that mothers in Estonia are more concerned with controlling the behavior of adolescents. (CMK)

Presents the results of a longitudinal study exploring the development of metacognitive knowledge in primary grade children, ages six to nine (n=196), from preschool to third grade. Finds that the average metacognitive knowledge of the children developed during the first three years of school. (CMK)

Presents the results of a study that trained ten and eleven year old children to improve their argumentative abilities. Explores whether didactic sequence with oral exercises and co-operative oral debate affected the children. Explains that the children were required to produce three argumentative texts before and after each training phase. (CMK)

Presents a study, focusing on 15-year old students, that demonstrates how an experimental reading program improved students' abilities using four reading activities: (1) looking for key fragments, (2) paying attention to structure marking elements, (3) making up questions, and (4) mapping important information from a text. Demonstrates an…

Examines the relationship between phonological and cognitive tasks with beginning reading acquisition. Uses two teaching techniques for tasks given first-grade students in Cyprus (n=50) and Greece (n=50). Reports differences were revealed in word-decoding accuracy, Greek students showed a higher linguistic ability, and successive processing and…

Examines the impact of the transition from elementary to secondary school on students' motivational profile and its link to academic achievement. Focuses on sixth grade and secondary one students (girls, n=186; boys, n=150) at the end of the school year. Reports the most powerful indicator of academic performance was self-efficacy. (CMK)

Presents a study in which two reading literacy/text comprehension (on-line comprehension versus memory-based comprehension) tests were administered to fifteen year old students (n=6104) from all German states and school types. Explains that on-line comprehension was affected by metacognitive knowledge, decoding speed, and the number of books at…

Explores profiles of mathematical competencies in upper secondary students within six countries: (1) Austria; (2) France; (3) Germany; (4) Sweden; (5) Switzerland; and (6) the United States. Explains that results from the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) test were in line with expectations about cultural and instructional…

Discusses how responses to multiple-choice items could be interpreted, demonstrates how responses on constructed-response items can be analyzed, and examines interactions between item characteristics and student responses. Uses information, specifically items and student responses, from the Third International Mathematics and Science Study…

The development of the Scottish higher education system over the past century is reviewed. Institutional and administrative structures, growth patterns, and problems that face higher education in Scotland are examined with specific reference to its relationship with higher education throughout the United Kingdom. (BH)