A University of South Carolina program provides marine science students with learning opportunities that merge research and undergraduate study. In three semesters, students mastered complex scientific concepts and important professional skills such as critical and independent thinking, teamwork, and problem solving. Student/faculty and…

The development, implementation, and integration of a nontraditional adult degree program at Mary Baldwin College, a traditional liberal arts institution, is described. The adult degree program is designed for adult men and women who cannot attend classes in the traditional manner; it may involve independent study, courses at other accredited…

A collection of essays examines ways in which teachers in higher education can enable students to become more autonomous in their learning: that is, how students can learn without the constant presence or intervention of a teacher. The introduction by David Boud discusses the trend in education towards a more autonomous learner, and provides an…

Encourages those whose use of technology now extends no further than the language laboratory to examine what can be done with some of the simpler computer-based technologies inside and outside the classroom. The article argues that the computer is the best tool available for taking tedious grammar drills out of the classroom while keeping them in…

Summaries of studies or experiments dealing with some aspect of independent study are compiled in this report. The papers include: (1) "The Future of Self-Directed Study," by Howard E. Gruber; (2) "Freshman Seminars at Harvard," by Eric W. Shaw; (3) "Independent Study in Honors Programs," by Philip I. Mitterling; (4)…

Describes a self-instruction procedure designed to provide students of science and technology at the tertiary level with a basic vocabulary in a foreign language of around 1,000 items. The technique represents an efficient method for bridging the gap between the vocabulary that beginning L2 students possess and that required to read L2 scientific…

Developments that will affect the continuing education field are discussed, with attention to the technology explosion, economic pressures, and modifications in the work force. The problem of short-term management orientation is addressed, along with the issues of state regulation of higher education and the use of telecommunications. If…

College curricula and instruction, differentiation, and innovation and change in American and Japanese higher education are discussed in 18 papers presented at the 1984 international seminars of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Higher education in three European countries is also addressed. Titles and authors…

The experience of King's College (Pennsylvania) in integrating resource-based learning and information literacy into its curriculum shows that such an effort is an evolutionary process. Lessons learned about faculty interest, use of staff time, the need for ongoing change, technological change, and assessment may help other institutions. (MSE)

A student project for learners of English for academic purposes (EAP) at a Hong Kong university is described and discussed. The project involved independent production by students of a documentary on the uses of English in the community. Topic, method of delivery, and organizational aspects were negotiated within the group of 15 students. Project…

The following papers are presented in this book: "Self-Directed Learning: Consensus and Conflict" (Long); "Challenges in the Study and Practice of Self-Directed Learning" (Long); "A Conceptual Model of Autodidactism" (Tremblay, Theil); "Functional and Dysfunctional Uses of Self-Directedness in Adult…

Information on over 500 major fields of study and the 3,000 colleges and graduate institutions that offer these programs at associate, bachelor's, master's, doctor's, and first-professional degree levels is provided for the 1986-1987 academic year. There are 17 special academic programs covered: accelerated program, combined bachelor's/graduate…

The use of new technologies to deliver courses in humanities to adult, off-campus students in rural western Minnesota is described in nine essays. A 4-year project was funded to improve access to the humanities, resulting in the redesign of 40 courses since 1981. In addition discussing the background of the project, evaluative mechanisms, and…

The roles of cooperation and choice in higher education are discussed in papers compiled from the 1977 Annual Conference of the University Teaching Methods Unit of the University of London. Financial constraints, a movement away from narrow specialist courses, effectiveness of interdisciplinary courses, instructional innovations, and changes in…

Project-based learning for students at the Open University, Great Britain, was studied through interviewing and the administration of a questionnaire. Group discussion interviews were conducted with approximately 200 students and individual interviews with about 50 part-time tutors who were responsible for the direct face-to-face contact arranged…