A study of senior education majors in the United Kingdom investigated the realism of student expectations of a required independent research project. Student self-assessments and teacher assessments showed little correlation, and students' evaluation criteria emphasized lower-order skills (style and presentation) and ignored higher-order processes…

The second phase of field testing for an Introductory Psychology course offered in the regional open learning program of the University of Mid-America is reported. Learner characteristics and learner evaluations of the instructional units are compared with findings from the first course offering. Throughout the paper, learner comments are inserted…

Components of the Reading/Writing Skills Center (RWSC) at General College, University of Minnesota, are described and assessed in this paper. The paper discusses changes made in the RWSC during 1978-79; procedures followed when students first come to the RWSC; the training and responsibilities of the undergraduate RWSC tutors; student evaluations…

This paper presents a case study focusing on community among students in a distance learning program, the Syracuse University (New York) Master of Library Science-Independent Study Degree Program (MLS-ISDP). During July 1998, the researcher conducted interviews with Syracuse University faculty and staff involved in developing and administering the…

Reports the analysis of entries in journals kept by Vietnamese teachers enrolled in teacher education programs for teaching English to speakers of other languages in Australia. Notes ways in which overseas students can be given support by those responsible for teaching English as a foreign language. (Six references) (Adjunct ERIC Clearinghouse for…

Outlines the advantages and disadvantages of using a single textbook in a college-level economic geography course. Argues that, if a course text is used thoughtfully, the advantages can outweigh the disadvantages. Asserts that students must take greater responsibility for their own learning and develop independent inquiry skills. (CFR)

This paper discusses the role of self-study and collaboration in action research, focusing on one researcher's doctoral research on the process of studying for a Ph.D. degree in education. The goal of this research is to build case-studies of 19 individuals in England conducting doctoral research. The paper discusses possible techniques for…

The monograph emerged from experience with an independent learning program at the English Centre of the University of Hong Kong. Students enrolled in classroom-based English spend part of their study time improving their English in ways they have chosen themselves, with the support of self-access learning facilities and counselors. They were asked…

Presenting a formative evaluation of the 1976-77 Kodiak Island Borough School District Title IV Elementary Secondary Education Act Project involving 4 schools, 8 teachers, and 50 students in grades 9 and 10, this program evaluation addresses a model based on a philosophy of individualized and independent instruction employing self-paced and…

The team teaching concept is examined in this study and three working models for team teaching an education course at Middle Tennessee State University are described. The goal was to develop a model that could be easily adapted to a variety of situations and disciplines, and one that would serve as a demonstration model. The first model consisted…

Viewing the language laboratory as an educational resource with potential applicability in every area of study, the author sets forth four basic principles which prompt him to urge its wider use. They include: (1) the possibility for concentration in isolation, (2) student analysis of his own voice, (3) a variable learning rate, and (4) the…

Learning 100 is a multimedia, multimodal, multilevel communication skills system; heavy stress is placed on filmstrips, tapes, and recordings; many of the materials are self-pacing; and a readiness stage and six graded levels of instruction have been developed. At the White Plains Learning Laboratory Center, Learning 100 was used with a group of…

This compilation of commentaries underscores the belief that the essence of individualized instruction lies in the implementation of a variety of alternative structures activated by shared teaching roles. The remarks focus on several topics which include a description of a self-instructional course in Japanese, computer-assisted instruction in…

This paper reports on a study that examined the effects of student-level orientation to schooling on students perceptions of a desirable school environment. The study involved 762 students in grades 7-12 in 4 Hong Kong secondary schools. The students completed a survey on their perceptions of independent learning, affinity to teachers, learning…

Motivation for learning is important for positive learning outcomes as well as for measured achievement levels. When students come to our classes, they bring with them learning histories in which we as individual teachers, most likely, did not have an input. Our students do not only bring with them different levels of prerequisite leanings but…