A study investigated effects of participation in freshman interest groups (FIGs) on students' learning experiences. Data were drawn from observation in 12 classes and 43 interviews with 24 students. Results showed FIGs allowed repeated interaction with a consistent set of peers, formation of a social network, and fostered engagement with course…

Many colleges and universities have developed internships to offer students work experience in the fields of fitness and exercise. The article identifies typical problems that occur in internships and proposes feasible solutions. Problems occur in four areas: intern academic preparation, intern accountability, supervisor's skills, and…

The College Life Task Assessment Instrument (CLT), a 35-item questionnaire, assesses college student performance in 7 life-task domains important to college life. Reliability and Validity results demonstrate the CLT's ability to predict freshman and cumulative GPA, freshman and cumulative credits earned, academic, social, and personal-emotional…

The relationship between instruction that challenged students academically in a supportive social environment and achievement gains in mathematics and reading was studied for students in 53 third-grade classrooms served by Title I funds. Findings indicate that higher-order learning and material connected to out-of-school experience were seldom…

Examines undergraduate female students' involvement in an African-American Greek-letter sorority at selected Southeast colleges, and the impact of community service on their general education. Describes seven elements of African society, known as the principles of Nguzo Saba, which provided the conceptual framework for this study. Contains 43…

This chapter summarizes theoretical perspectives and research findings on developmental education, and emphasizes the importance of considering students' voices and experiences in determining how best to facilitate growth and development in college.

To investigate how students' characteristics and experiences affect satisfaction, this study uses regression and decision tree analysis with the CHAID algorithm to analyze student-opinion data. A data mining approach identifies the specific aspects of students' university experience that most influence three measures of general satisfaction. The…

The impact that high school and college experiences and activities have on students' musical independence (MI) was investigated. MI is related to the actual production and performance of music, as opposed to musical achievement or the mastery of any academic skill related to music. Colwell's Musical Achievement Test 3, Musical Achievement Test 4,…

The study of engineering can be likened to a game. To become a master student, one must not only play the game but devote time and energy to learning how to play it. The purpose of this book is to give students ideas and perspectives which must be addressed in order to be effective students. It focuses on the nonacademic aspects of being a…

The qualitative differences in the experiences and outcomes of blacks who attend white colleges and blacks who attend black institutions were explored in a national study. The study of 1,600 students enrolled in 16 public universities provides insights for improving the prospects for black participation in higher education. (MLW)

Using secondary data collected by F. Laanan (1995), this study investigated how students who transferred from California Community Colleges to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in fall 1993 performed academically, and explored the nature of their experiences in adjusting to the four-year institution. This comparative study describes…

Groups of medical students were compared with respect to ward-performance scores and scores on identical examinations to determine whether students with previous clerkships are likely to perform better in their internal medicine clerkships. It is concluded that previous experience apparently does not have a beneficial effect on student performance…

Describes a study which investigated the grade point average declines (transfer shock) experienced by students who transferred from a community college to two four-year private liberal arts colleges in Pennsylvania. Indicates that the declines observed in this study are low compared to declines observed at public universities. Contains 2 data…

Reports on two studies of student responses to increased emphasis on experiential activities in an undergraduate developmental psychology course. Finds that students in the experiential sections rated the value of and interest in the subject matter higher. (CFR)

Among 238 Canadian high school seniors who took a science achievement test, 15 were interviewed afterward. Girls scored lower than boys and more frequently cited school experiences (rather than informal experiences or common knowledge) as the basis for answers. Some items elicited spontaneous negative reactions from girls but not boys. Contains 55…