The effectiveness of a basic college mathematics course consisting of lecture-discussion classroom procedures and homework assignments from a traditional text was compared to the effectiveness of a course designed to combat low grade achievement and a high dropout rate by allowing for individual differences. The revised course consisted of…

In 1991, Northern Maine Technical College (NMTC) conducted a survey of 122 individuals over the age of 55 years to determine their educational interests, their preferences regarding course delivery methods, and their demographic characteristics. The survey asked respondents to state their interest in specific subjects under the categories of…

Research papers (N=111) published in Vols. 11-13 of "Journal of Research in Science Teaching" were used in this study to validate areas of productivity in science educational research. Questions were answered regarding research area interests, stability of priorities for research, and omissions of research in high-priority areas. (CS)

Drawing from research and related literature on successful staff development activities, a professional development model was developed and implemented at J. F. Ingram Technical College (JFITC) in Alabama. Designed to serve the professional development needs of support staff, apprentice and master teachers, and administrators, the model provides…

In 1992, a study was conducted at Grossmont College (GC) in El Cajon, California, to determine employment positions and incomes of former students who had left/graduated during the 3 academic years 1985-86, 1986-87, and 1987-1988 and had been enrolled in one of the following 11 vocational education programs: Accounting, Administration and Justice,…

Designed as a supplement to the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) Libraries' review of their current situation, this report presents an assessment of administrative support and staffing of the libraries in the LACCD, and offers recommendations for maintaining and improving their operations. Following introductory comments on the…

This paper draws from the writings of Edwin O. Reischauer to support its arguments that high school and college curricula should be extended to include Asian culture, particularly the humanities of China, Japan, India, and medieval Islam. The following literature selections are proposed and highlighted: (1) India and Southeast Asia: the "Ramayana"…

Responds to Aviva Freedman's article on explicit instruction of genre in the same issue of the journal. Reviews Freedman's argument. Disagrees with Freedman's conclusion that explicit instruction is not useful. Argues that research indicates that explicit instruction of genres can be beneficial to students. (HB)

Explores the notion of writer identity in academic essays by focusing on first-person pronouns. The main argument is that the first-person pronoun in academic writing is not a homogeneous entity. Essays of 27 first-year undergraduates at the University of Singapore are examined based on a typology of six different identities behind first-person…

The research reported in this document shows how two junior college counselors perform "explaining what we are doing now" differently, depending on the social personage or identity of the student, and identifies the social meaning of different forms of "explaining what we are doing now." It shows how in formulating, counselors can say more than…

In 1985, Maryland's Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) launched a major scholarship fund-raising drive in response to limited federal, state and county funding. The campaign began with an account balance of $30,000; today the school has scholarships over $450,000. The success of AACC's fund-raising drive resulted from the commitment…

Analyzes synthesis essays of graduate students for the importance and origin of information and for the quality of key rhetorical moves. Confirms the interrelatedness of comprehension and composing processes and illustrates how writers, with varying levels of topic familiarity, use both their knowledge of disciplinary topics and their experience…

Investigates the relationships among self-confidence about writing, expected outcomes, writing apprehension, general self-confidence, and writing performance over one semester. Finds that students' beliefs about their own composition skills and the preperformance measure were the only significant predictors. (SR)

As part of a longitudinal study of fall 1975 entering students at Hawaii community colleges, this report focuses on two student groups: those who graduated during 1975-76 and those who graduated during 1976-77. Student characteristics were significantly different between groups. There were greater proportions of female than male graduates for both…

Although the integration movement of the 1960's and the demands for cultural pluralism in the 1970's addressed the issues of racial unity and minority civil rights, a new consciousness of cross-cultural unity among all ethnic groups must be achieved if racial tension is ever to be abated. Accordingly, cultural differences must not be viewed as the…