This study examined comprehension in four groups of undergraduates under text only, multimedia, and two diagram conditions of text supplementation. Results indicated that effects of text supplementation are mediated by prior knowledge and learning style: multimedia appears more beneficial to surface learners with little prior knowledge and makes…

The development of an inventory to measure self-regulated learning is reported. The first step involved the generation of an item pool based on a literature review. A pool of items was developed based on the five identified factors of metacognition, learning strategies, motivation, contextual sensitivity, and environmental utilization and control.…

This study analyzed college students' use of motivational strategies in academic contexts. Participants included 11 male and 26 female undergraduate students enrolled in psychology courses at an urban university, who completed the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire. Analysis focused primarily on responses to the following sample…

Motivational patterns and self-regulatory activities of 119 undergraduates were studied through a questionnaire examining perceived ability and goal orientation. Findings are generally consistent with the goal orientation theory of C. S. Dweck, although the predicted integration of dominant goal orientation and perceived ability did not appear.…

Describes a software library developed to teach biophysics and physiology undergraduates that includes software on (1) the Hodgkin-Huxley model for excitation of action potentials in electrically excitable cells; (2) a random-walk model of diffusion; (3) single voltage-gated ion channels; (4) steady-state chemically mediated transport; and (5)…

Reports on a study of 168 undergraduate students at the United Arab Emirates University. Used the "Learning and Study Strategies Inventory" to examine the differences between low-, average-, and high-achieving students. Discovered that motivation was the most powerful discriminating factor separating the students. Includes sample…

This paper focuses on science anxiety in undergraduate education and then reviews current theories on how to reduce science anxiety. The exploration of the phenomenon of science anxiety points out that this response results not from a lack of self-confidence, but from a lack of a framework of prior knowledge to help order new knowledge; it also…

A Writing Anxiety Scale (WAS) was developed. A literature review and interviews with writing instructors identified nine components of writing behavior (Empathy, Expression, Evaluation by Others, Motivation, Organization, Procrastination, Self-Esteem, Technical Skills, and Writing Anxiety). A pool of 146 items were written to reflect the…

This research experiment studied the effect of humor versus non-humor on learning and retention of a computer-based instructional (CBI) lesson on tick identification. The experiment also surveyed the subjects' enjoyment of the lesson material, their personal experiences with ticks, and their concerns about ticks and tick-borne diseases.…

Discusses the partnership that exists between a zoo and a college in the linking of research and teaching in undergraduate education for the preparation of future scientists. Lists zoo-related projects conducted by various fields of study. States that this type of relationship promotes student interest in science. (RT)

Assesses differences in academic and athletic motivation levels among white and black student-athletes, and probes two possible causal variables for graduation rates by examining postgraduate expectations of student-athletes and aspects of their social, cultural, and personal orientations. Survey responses from 327 college athletes reveal…

Recent developments in learning technology such as hypermedia is becoming widespread and offer significant contribution to improve the delivery of learning and teaching materials. A key factor in the development of hypermedia learning system is cognitive style (CS) as it relates to users' information processing habits, representing individual…

A total of 284 first-year undergraduate business studies students in a post-1992 university in Greater London completed a questionnaire regarding their motives for deciding to participate in higher education. The questionnaire also queried whether the decision to enroll had been "marginal," or was something about which they had never had…

Employers consistently rank communication skills, in particular writing ability, among the most important skills for undergraduate business students to possess. However, improving writing skills, especially with respect to punctuation, grammar, and word choice, often requires substantial teacher time and effort. To assess and improve student…

Undergraduate students in sociology (N=59) and psychology (N=50) participated in a study at a large midwestern university to determine if the pattern of attributional assignment, expectancy, performance, and perceived success was different in these two groups of undergraduates. Prior to taking the first of three exams each student was asked how…