Describes study that examined the effect of the use of microcomputers as word processors in a college freshman English composition course. Treatments for the experimental and control groups are described, dependent and independent variables are explained, and results based on pretest and posttest writing samples are analyzed. (21 references) (LRW)

Studied the use of a computer-based instructional package called SuccessMaker with disruptive students to determine its effects on locus of control and grade point average. Results of pretests and posttests showed an improvement in academic outcomes when the intervention was teacher facilitated. (LRW)

Discussion of the use of computer drills in education focuses on a study designed to compare the effect of a progressive state drill with the effect of having high school students implement their own strategies using flashcards. The use of sequential analysis is explained, and student attitudes are examined. (26 references) (Author/LRW)

More than 1,600 middle school students, including an experimental group exposed to the Biological Science Curriculum Study (BSCS), were administered the Modified Nature of Scientific Knowledge Scale. Results indicate that the students utilizing the traditional science curriculum possessed a significantly better understanding of the testable nature…

This study examined learner-control strategies for selecting problem context and level of instructional support on a computer-based mathematics unit on the metric system. Subjects were 240 sixth grade students assigned to 15 treatments. Performance was lowest under learner-control instructional support conditions even though subjects indicated…

Discussion of the instructional effectiveness of educational software focuses on a study of undergraduates that investigated the effectiveness of a problem-solving program designed to assist students in solving nonlinear optimization problems. Results are reported that indicate manual procedures resulted in greater learning than use of the…

Describes a study that was conducted to determine whether paired/cooperative computer-assisted instruction (CAI) was as effective as individual instruction. Treatment of experimental and control groups is explained, and the effects of pairings based on cognitive style--i.e., field dependence and field independence--on achievement and student…

Describes a study of undergraduates at West Virginia University that was conducted to investigate the effects of computer-based instruction on writing performance and writing apprehension. Computer anxiety is measured, appropriate software is discussed, and the quality of pretreatment and posttreatment essays are compared with essays written…

Examined the effect of cooperative learning on Lebanese elementary students' acquisition of English-as-a-Second-Language rules and mechanics. Pretest and posttest comparison of experimental and control classes did not significantly favor cooperative learning as compared to individualistic instruction, though low achieving experimental class…

This study documents learning and student performance through objective tests with graduate students in Kingston-Jamaica and compares the final exam results with students taking the same course, the same test, with the same instructor at different sites throughout the United States and in the Nassau cluster, Grand Bahamas. The scores are further…

The purpose of this study is to investigate how focus-on-forms instruction in second language teaching affects attention to forms in two different types of task: constrained and free production. These two different types of task were administered to 87 university students enrolled in a first-year French as a second language course before and after…

In an effort to examine the effectiveness of cooperative learning at the college level, a project was undertaken to examine outcomes for two sections of an introductory geography course at Valdosta State University, in Georgia. The first section was taught in a traditional manner, using lectures, multiple choice tests, and other traditional…

In 1991, a study was conducted at Riverside City College (RCC), in California, to determine the development of science reasoning among students. A science reasoning test was administered at the beginning and again at the end of fall 1991 to two samples: a college-wide sample of 843 students enrolled in one of 55 courses, and a science-oriented…

The Comparing Models of Service-Learning project surveyed the impact of service-learning programs on students' citizenship values, skills, attitudes, and understanding nationwide. Data were obtained from 1,136 pre- and post-surveys of students who participated in service learning and 408 of their classmates who did not select service-learning…

In 1996, the effectiveness of New Jersey's Perkins Act-funded single parent/displaced homemaker and gender equity programs in increasing clients' knowledge of nontraditional careers was evaluated through a 60-question survey that was administered to all clients before each program began and 6 weeks after completion of those portions of the…