We now stand at an interesting intersection in the perennial debate about the merits of homework, write Marzano and Pickering. Arguments against homework are becoming louder and more popular; at the same time, research is providing growing evidence that homework can be useful when employed effectively. After reviewing three recent books that have…

Several studies have emphasised the importance of addressing social and emotional factors in facilitating adjustment to tertiary education. This article describes the Skills for Success in Science programme at the University of Cape Town. The broad aims were life skills development and improved adjustment which are assumed to underpin academic…

This Wallace Perspective paper summarizes key findings of a newly-published book, "Aligning Student Support with Achievement Goals: The Secondary Principal's Guide," that argues that school counselors could be much more active players in improving student learning. The book, which bases its conclusions heavily on Wallace's Transforming School…

Researching self-regulated learning (SRL) as a process that evolves across multiple episodes of studying poses large methodological challenges. While self-report data provide useful information about learners' perceptions of learning, these data are not reliable indicators of studying tactics learners actually use while studying, especially when…

Using a computer-based tutorial called STUDY, students navigate through content and apply studying actions such as underlining, taking notes, requesting elaborations, and attempting test items whereas STUDY creates detailed time-stamped records of the learner's interactions in a log file. Log file data are analyzed using a methodology based on the…

A study of students of a traditional two-semester Anatomy and Physiology class was made to determine factors that contributed to success in the coursework. The test established a co-relation between the amount of study in mathematics and science done previously in school and final grades in the subject.

Building a campuswide culture of assessment is a complex, long-term goal, and the process for achieving such a lofty goal must be thoughtfully planned, persistently and sensitively implemented, and, above all, inclusive of the various campus constituencies that form the backbone of the academic community. Often as campus assessment initiatives…

This paper uses data from the 1979 and 1997 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth cohorts (NLSY79 and NLSY97) to estimate changes in the effects of ability and family income on educational attainment for youth in their late teens during the early 1980s and early 2000s. Cognitive ability plays an important role in determining educational outcomes…

This paper provides Human Resource Development practitioners several methods for enhancing learning projects of new professionals preparing for certification or licensure. Implementation of these activities provides opportunities for new professionals to become more self-directed and therefore immersed in their own learning. While these activities…

Describes two studies at the University of Helsinki (Finland) that explored the existence of gender differences in spontaneous study strategies use while learning from texts. Discusses results that showed no differences in text comprehension, and concludes that different study strategies more than gender issues differentiated the learning…

This article describes our interest in bringing together students' emotions and their motivation for academic work as these play out across the school year. We explore three main issues. First, we consider what some view as an incompatibility between students' use of established work habits (volitional strategies) and real enjoyment of academic…

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 helps to ensure that all children receive a high-quality education and holds schools responsible for making sure that all children are learning. The information in this brochure is consistent with this important law. The early school years are the foundation for school success, the time when children will learn…

This junior high school study module contains a needs assessment, course goals and objectives, and guidelines for course implementation and evaluation. A study skills course based on written, audio, and audiovisual materials is outlined in detail. Master lists of materials and publishers are also included. (Author/AA)

Describes a classroom guidance unit designed to assist middle school students in exploring their skills, habits, and attitudes related to taking examinations. By presenting appropriate test-taking habits and attitudes in a stimulating, group-oriented format, the unit offers an opportunity for students to acquire important academic skills.…

Students who wish to get bad grades should daydream, not read their textbooks or study manuals, avoid note taking, and procrastinate on assignments. This "manual" is used in an introductory psychology class to modify students' habits and change mediocre classroom behavior. (CS)