The use of a required text is an accepted practice in most college courses, but two-thirds of the students are coming to class without reading the textbook, some of them never buying the textbook at all. A review of the literature about textbook usage and student reading habits provides a comparison between how faculty and students view the pros…

This study investigates the effects of strategy-based instruction (SBI) on the promotion of learner autonomy (LA). LA was conceptualized and operationally defined as learner self-initiation and learner self-regulation. An intervention study was conducted with the participation of 37 students in an experimental group, and 54 students in two control…

Claims recent research involving premature editing--thinking aloud for the study--is too narrow in scope to allow for basic writers whose writing processes do not resemble the model. Using eight basic writers produces evidence to support the claim that many or most basic writers can write without editing prematurely.(NH)

Nationwide, students are entering college unprepared for college-level work. Recent high school graduates are placing into developmental courses at an alarming rate. The purpose of this research study is to examine the effect of a developmental boot camp on standardized placement test scores of students enrolling at a community college in North…

The two-term technical writing course at the University of Aizu (Japan) was developed to help computer science majors develop writing skills needed for academic and future career activities. The course was first organized and presented in 1994 and has undergone continuous evaluation and revision. During the first two years, it was presented in two…

The Commission on College Geography of the Association of American Geographers recently conducted a survey of 855 junior college presidents to determine the current status and role of geography instruction in their institutions. Instructional arrangements, courses taught, and role in terminal and transfer programs were outlined. (JO)

Examines students' amusing responses to essay test questions, while maintaining that such responses can still give a teacher a better indication of what students are learning in the classroom than can objective tests. (HTH)

Based upon a survey conducted in 1974 by the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges (AACJC), this directory provides information on 1,203 community, junior, and technical colleges in the United States and its territories, including 1973 and 1974 data on enrollments and personnel. Following introductory material on the compilation of…

This paper analyzes written discourse generated in response to an open-ended questionnaire administered to 136 students at two different universities in the southwestern United States and to 15 non-American students at a large Danish university. The questionnaire aimed to inspire reflection about the impact of the global rise of English on…

Suggests using debate in a composition class to teach decision-making skills, values clarification, and careful articulation of personal thoughts and opinions. (MKM)

Argues that, especially in culturally diverse classrooms, students' stories can be a rich source of information about their worlds, values, and linguistic styles. (RS)

Proposes that teachers use their own writing as a teaching tool. Discusses both the left-brain logical, rational approach and the right-brain intuitive approach to invention and states that in composing their own methods and materials, instructors can stress both patterns of creativity by illustrating how each complements the other. (EL)

An overview is provided of the status and future of science, engineering, and mathematics education in public two-year colleges. In addition, results of several national-level studies are reviewed, and 15 recommendations developed by the National Task Force for the Improvement of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Education in Community,…

Guided by Giddens' structuration theory, this study highlights structures that both enable and constrain nonnative English-speaking teachers and students in American college classrooms. Before international teaching assistants (ITAs) step into their American classrooms, several semishaped class structures are already in place: students (mostly…

Most people have an innate curiosity about things and ideas, people and events. When they read stories, especially those concerning crime, love, or adventure, they not only want to find out what is happening or has happened, but they generally make some kind of guess as to what is likely to happen next. Where there is no such curiosity on the part…