Examines research conducted at the British Open University using the research paradigm of phenomenography to discover what students understand about particular concepts in social science. The use of student interviews for formative and summative evaluation is described, and changes in course materials based on the results are discussed.…

This study examined the relationship between self-assessed understanding of lesson content and student performance on factual and inferential test questions among college undergraduate students. Analysis of the results showed little or no correlation between student ratings of their understanding and their subsequent performance on both embedded…

Investigates the effectiveness of videotape recording use in teacher education by comparing the progress of students who were videotaped while practicing classroom skills through microteaching with the progress of students who were not videotaped. The groups which used videotaping made significantly more progress in their mastery of specified…

Statistical analysis of data evaluating the effects of a bibliographic instruction program on college students' library-related behavior--changes in library usage, attitude toward libraries and librarians, understanding of basic library skills--indicates that students scored significantly higher on posttest than on pretest. Sample test questions…

Describes study of high school students that was conducted to determine whether instruction in a second programing language helps produce transfer of problem solving skills. The six dependent variables used in the study are discussed; pretests and posttests are described; and suggestions are made for further research. (36 references) (Author/LRW)

Discusses problems with formative evaluation of educational materials and examines the slope test when used in a pretest/posttest multiple group (PPMG) design to adjust posttest scores treatment interaction studies. An example is given of the utility of the slope test and analysis of covariance procedure using an educational film about AIDS. (five…

Describes study conducted with undergraduate students to examine the combined effects of orienting activities and levels of practice on learning from interactive video. The videodisc used, "Tour of the National Gallery of Art," is described, posttests and results are analyzed, and suggestions for further research are given. (27…

This study investigated the effects of self-directed videotape experiences upon the self-concept of delinquent males. The self-directed process is a method of self-expression, and included videotape recording and playback, viewing motion picture films, and discussions. The dimensions of self-concept tested through the Self Social Symbols Task were…

A study was conducted to investigate the respective contributions of personal and social factors (initial competence and imitation of modeled responses) in children's observational learning of conservation. Subjects included 180 first-grade nonconservers from six schools attended by French-speaking middle class pupils. All subjects failed…

Using the Component Display Theory as an analyzing tool, this study compared the effects of expository and discovery methods of instruction on two learning outcomes, application and transfer. One hundred ninth grade students in each of four earth science classes were randomly assigned to five groups--four experimental groups designed to test four…

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that students who are given common errors matched with correct performance as part of their instruction in carrying out a procedure will perform better than students who are given only the correct performance. The task was the procedure for correcting color imbalances in color slides, and 56 college…

Children's developmental progress was studied to determine if location and types of services for handicapped preschoolers (classroom or home and classroom combined) were significantly related to child progress. Data indicated an overall trend for progress for all participating children, but neither service delivery model emerged as the superior…

A study of the effects of microcomputer use in classrooms and homes on the growth of school-readiness skills of kindergartners used pre- and posttested experimental and control groups to assess reading readiness, mathematics readiness, Piagetian operations, and keyboard knowledge. Teacher implementation strategies and techniques used by nonreaders…

A test of predicted anxiety which focused on public speaking was given before and after two life skills courses in an English college. The students' own reports and observations by the author supported the results, which indicated a reduction of anxiety in the course which used simulations. (Author/LRW)

Survey data from two intercollegiate Model United Nations (UN) conferences, pretest data, and results of open-ended questionnaires from one delegation are utilized to identify and explain important elements in the student preparation stage, the Model UN simulation, and possible educational benefits of participation. (MBR)