A study investigated the relationship of 46 college students' preferred teaching method (conventional lecture versus independent study package) and their own approaches to study (surface, deep, achieving). Results indicated that while students preferred the conventional lecture method, preference did not correlate with their study approach and…

Given today's global work environment, business education should prepare learners not only for technical excellence but also for effective collaboration. In this article, the author describes how collaborative activities--ranging from exams to projects and role playing--enhance the understanding of operations management (OM). The author found that…

This study aimed to determine the factors that affect students' preferences regarding tutorial modes. A learning-habit inclinations questionnaire (LHIQ) was constructed and administered to 288 students. Factor analysis revealed four factors: "time management," "ease of access" to learning materials, "positive aspects of interaction," and "negative…

A study was undertaken to explore whether students using an advance organizer-metacognitive learning strategy would be less anxious, more self-directing, more efficient, and more self-confident when learning unknown computer applications software than students using traditional computer software learning strategies. The first experiment was…

Students (N=78) enrolled in either the Fall, 1989 or Spring, 1990 semester of an urban university campus were studied to determine their preference for either the Personalized System of Instruction (PSI or Keller Plan) or the traditional lecture class in an undergraduate self-paced statistics class. (This was also the first self-paced course that…

An investigation was conducted for the purpose of creating a valid and reliable instrument that could serve the Nova University ( Florida) Programs for Higher Education (PHE) central administrative and field staff in counseling new field-based doctoral students who have exhibited less positive or negative attitudes toward independent learning.…

A study classified and compared the learning style preferences of learning-disabled (LD) and gifted elementary school students with peers who were not identified as gifted or LD. The Learning Style Inventory (Dunn, Dunn, and Price, 1981), covering 22 learning style elements grouped under four categories (environmental, emotional, sociological, and…

A study was conducted to compare the relative effectiveness of interactive video (IV) and linear video (LV) as delivery modes for the acquisition of basic photography skills in an independent learning environment at the college level. It was postulated that a self-instructional, self-paced approach would be beneficial because of the wide diversity…

Part of a collection of papers commissioned by Foundations (a project designed to determine the career development needs of deaf postsecondary students), the paper reviews research on student motivation. The first section addresses research on normally hearing students in classrooms with different motivational orientations. Advantages and…

Independent Study (IS) at Brigham Young University (Utah) enrolls nearly 17,000 high school students and 13,000 college students each year. Results of student evaluations are used to help determine to what extent the IS courses and instructors are meeting student needs. IS administrators decided to redesign the student forms to provide a better…

A course combining aspects of traditional and self-instruction is described. Students' positive reactions exceeded expectation, and students favored the relaxed pace, practice exercises, and immediate instructor feedback. A disadvantage was faculty time required to provide feedback. (MSE)

Interviews with students at an alternative high school for at-risk students in Estes Park, Colorado, reveal their attitudes toward learning, the instructional program, and the learning environment. Finds, for example, that students value teachers who care and hands-on learning experiences. (PKP)

Reports on a study which evaluated student attitudes toward a new bibliographic instruction (BI) manual designed to address their individual needs and compares the results with those of previous studies on BI methods, i.e., lecture and discussion practicum versus a self-guided workbook. It is concluded that the new manual is regarded more…

A survey of 61 pharmacy students in 2 undergraduate patient counseling courses investigated attitudes concerning use of learning contracts. Results indicated most students were highly inclined toward self-directed learning, contracts were clear on grading expectations, and contract grading facilitated learning and reduced classroom anxiety and…

Describes a computer-based self-diagnosis study aid designed to assist adult student distance learners prepare for exams by providing practice exams, short quizzes on specific assignments, and feedback on student performances. Student characteristics, performance, and attitudes are examined; and future possibilities are considered. (Contains five…