Studies on motivational or attitudinal differences between women and men have frequently failed to explain observable differences in achievement, probably because they have not considered personal and contextual characteristics of college student samples. Life stage analysis is applied to studies of achievement and male-female relationships. (SLD)

Addresses issues of open-access and educational quality. Reviews the unique mission of community colleges to educate a student population with wide-ranging academic abilities, motivational levels, and scholastic preparedness. Advocates careful assessment and placement of underprepared students, and special faculty development efforts to improve…

Discusses the results of a survey of graduate students concerning their motivation for pursuing a scientific career. Concludes that while the predominant motive for most young scientists is the value of the work, many issues such as the conditions in the workplace and the organization of research hinder this task. (MJP)

Utilizes the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) to delineate four basic personality types and their corresponding learning styles. Compares student's learning style with professor's teaching style. Suggests options for improving instruction by offering teaching and grading strategies that better accommodate student personality types and learning…

Many studies have been conducted to verify the effect of learner characteristics and motivation in traditional classrooms, but very few are found in online learning research. This study sought to identify what learner characteristics and motivation types affected a group of undergraduate students' learning and application of learning for a course…

This discussion paper examines the current state of practice of adult literacy education in Washington State as well as initiatives to improve program effectiveness in a number of areas, including staff quality and curriculum. The paper discusses staff and curriculum development being undertaken by the ABLE (Adult Basic and Literacy Educator's)…

Conversations with and among students in their residential environment illuminate the role of peer subcultures in shaping what students learn and how they define learning. An excerpt from a year-long ethnographic case study examines the ways in which residents of an undergraduate women's residential unit at a state comprehensive university talk…

In response to large numbers of returning adult students, Wisconsin's technical college system has placed an increased emphasis on school-to-work transition and innovative forms of distance education (DE). DE began in Europe at least 150 years ago through correspondence programs, expanded to include radio programs in the 1920s and 1930s, and moved…

The relationship between teachers' and students' personal constructs regarding intrinsic motivation in the mathematics class were examined in this study. Participants were six middle-school mathematics teachers and 30 students from 5 classes. Videotape, direct observation, individual interviews, and repertory grid tasks focused on the ways in…

A survey of 335 students (33.5% response) enrolled in the National Extension College (NEC) revealed that the proportion of women students increased significantly; two-thirds of NEC students were women. The mean age of NEC students stayed relatively constant. The proportion of employed women was relatively high; the proportion of employed men was…

This document consists of six issues (all of volume 2) of a newsletter subtitled "Dedicated to Helping Gifted Children Reach their Full Potential". These issues deal with all aspects of parenting and educating gifted children. Major articles include: "Re-examining the Concept of Underachievement" (Joanne Rand Whitmore);…

This report represents the results of the third biennial high school survey sent to approximately 10,400 Nevada high school seniors during the spring of 1990. Sixty-six percent of the surveys were returned, compiled, and analyzed. Among the findings of the survey are the following: (1) more seniors plan to attend school during the year following…

Data from the Maryland Longitudinal Study following 772 individuals who entered the University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) in 1980 were further analyzed to identify characteristics of students who complete the degree program within 5 years and have developed a vocational identity. Subjects were initially identified as either in the…

Instructional research is reviewed where teaching failures have produced students who seem to be less able to use learning skills or had less access to knowledge in some domain than before they were taught. Three general types of "mathemathantic" (i.e. where instruction "kills" learning) effects are hypothesized, theoretical…

This study examines the characteristics, needs, and actual experiences of Latino (Mexican American/Chicano and other Hispanic) students enrolled at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), through identification of Hispanic demographic characteristics from university records, comparison of Student Affirmative Action Outreach Program (SAA)…