A study was conducted to test four hypotheses concerning modification of student self-concept in communication courses: (1) different kinds of training affect student self-concept in different ways, (2) scale bias affects measurement of student self-concept, (3) male and female self-concepts change differently, and (4) course grade affects student…

A study examined the relationship between the personality constructs of self-concept and communication apprehension and the use of self-confrontation (self-viewing of videotaped speeches) as a potential self-concept enhancement strategy. The question of whether the constructs of self-concept and communication apprehension overlap was investigated…

The role of reinforcement has long been an issue in learning theory. The effects of reinforcement in learning were investigated under circumstances which made the information necessary for correct performance equally available to reinforced and nonreinforced subjects. Fourth graders (N=36) were given a pre-test of 20 items from the Peabody Picture…

Five teachers, whose experience and reputations recommended them as successful writing teachers, but who used different methods in their freshman composition course, were asked to test their classes at the beginning and end of the course on writing ability and writing anxiety. The pre- and post-testing was accomplished through a written essay,…

A study of the writing of 11 minority group students in a college biology class explored two questions: (1) how the difference between well-shaped and poorly shaped writing could be described, and (2) how the various pieces of writing of an individual student could be compared. The study concentrated on a contrastive analysis of two pairs of…

Two sentence-combining tests and one piece of free writing per student provided the data in a study designed to determine whether the heavy writing emphasis given British children in their elementary years gives them significantly greater writing skill than their counterparts in the United States, who write comparatively infrequently. The data…

Investigated the change in IQ scores over time of subjects in classes for the Educable Mentally Handicapped. Analysis indicated a significant difference existed between Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children scores administered at initial placement and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale scores administered later (mean age, 17 years-6 months).…

A study is described that scientifically validates the common assumption that travel and exchange programs abroad are educationally beneficial. A questionnaire was used to ascertain which areas of students' lives had benefitted from overseas experience. (TE)

Describes a study to determine if time spent in modular instruction is related to improvement in performance on weekly tests or final examinations across four years in a course on plant anatomy taught by Self-Instructional Modules and Interactive small Group discussion (SIMIG). Twenty-one references are listed. (Author/CHC)

Reports on a 10-year investigation of the use of behavioral contingency management technology to improve low-performance students' skills, which was conducted across 17 offerings of a sophomore-level undergraduate course. Findings indicate that behavioral contracting technologies involve very little cost and produce highly effective results. (AEF)

Reports on a study that compares the performance of students enrolled in two sections of a Web-based computer networking course: one utilizing a simulation package and the second utilizing a static, graphical software package. Analysis shows statistically significant improvements in performance in the simulation group compared to the…

Compares results of story telling to kindergarten students using text only, helpful video, and minimal video. Results indicate that multimedia technologies are valuable tools for supporting the development of story comprehension, mental model building, and literacy in young children who are at-risk for school failure. Sample stories used in…

Interviews with parents of children with moderate or severe disabilities revealed positive perceptions regarding outcomes of their children's inclusion in general education. Of the 13 children (ages 5 to 20), 9 had previously been in self-contained settings. Parents reported skill acquisition in academics, communication, social skills, and…

Describes the use of the writing-across-the-curriculum approach in a college psychology course. Reports on a study of the effect of summary writing exercises on 16 students. Finds that participating student scores on the final examination were eight percent higher than nonparticipating students. (CFR)

Reports on a study of an improvisation curriculum used with 66 fifth-grade music students. Finds that students who received instruction emphasizing improvisation performed at significantly higher achievement levels than students who did not receive such instruction. (CFR)