The concept of study orchestration, a contextualized approach to study skills/habits for individuals and groups of students, is discussed as it relates to college student learning. Individual differences and characteristics are considered, particularly as they are sensitive to study context and concern intervention for students at risk…

This document offers teaching tips to be used if, on administration of the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ), a class were to present a profile of scores that would suggest the need for help in one or more of the motivation or learning strategies areas assessed by the MSLQ. Some tips are supported by research; others are based…

A study evaluated a four-year undergraduate curriculum in occupational therapy based on the idea that qualitative differences in the way students approach learning, transferred to the group level, can help diagnose structural defects in a curriculum. Results and methodology are discussed. (Author/MSE)

Research on college students' study skills and habits and on secondary-level course organization suggest certain patterns of instructor demand (workload, test difficulty, latitude for self-direction) and compensations (test review practices, test item overlap with instructor handouts, "safety nets") may account for student study deficiencies, and…

Reports on college-level microeconomic classes to compare learning in short-term intensive course with traditional semester-length course. Found students in three-week courses performed better on achievement tests than those in traditional semester courses but this advantage disappeared when knowledge retention was measured. Raises policy…

For the past decade there has been a surge of international interest in Japanese education in the wake of its economic and technological successes. This paper discusses eight distinctive features of Japanese education, identifying their advantages and disadvantages and how they have been brought about. These eight features of Japanese schooling…

A study investigated study habits of 154 educationally disadvantaged engineering students enrolled in developmental studies programs in 3 South African universities. Aspects examined include entry skills, study patterns throughout the first year, and characteristics of students whose study habits changed over time. Implications for admission and…

A study of 723 doctoral students investigated the relationship between time taken to complete the degree and economic factors, including employment hours, study hours, household income, indebtedness, amount and type of aid, and part-time student status. Field of study and foreign/domestic student status were also considered. (Author/MSE)

A study found college honors (n=231) and nonhonors (n=709) first-year students were similar in extracurricular interests, educational objectives, and some study habits; they reported differences in most other areas. Findings have implications for advising both groups, such as placement of emphasis on format of academic courses, orientation to…

An Australian study compared stressors among freshman foreign and native students, primarily in business administration. Foreign students had significantly more difficulty adjusting to academic requirements and study needs, particularly study methods, independent study, language skills, participation, and time management, and had higher stress…

"Chronicle of Higher Education" presents an abundant source of news and information for college and university faculty members and administrators. This November 26, 2004 issue of "Chronicle for Higher Education" includes the following articles: (1) "A Question of Degrees" (Contreras, Alan); (2) "Democratize the…