This project explores the meaning of membership for members of a Black Greek organization (BGO) and uncovers how the members utilize the fraternity to create various connections. It incorporates underutilized research on voluntary associations and draws attention to a necessary distinction between membership in a BGO and membership in a…

The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) documents dimensions of quality in undergraduate education and provides information and assistance to colleges, universities, and other organizations to improve student learning. Its primary activity is annually surveying college students to assess the extent to which they engage in educational…

This paper describes how undergraduate student interns were utilized in a one-person institutional research office on a small college campus to improve productivity and provide real-life experiences for upper-class students. The pitfalls and benefits of such use of students are discussed from both the students' and institutional researcher's…

The kinds of life events that may affect cognitive development were explored for 777 students, mostly freshmen, enrolled in introductory social science courses at Western Washington University Bellingham (Washington). Cognitive functioning was assessed using the Measure of Epistemological Reflection (MER) of M. B. Taylor (1983). Students also…

In a national study of admissions practices at the undergraduate level, data were gathered on (1) degree of program control over admission, (2) time of entry, (3) methods utilized, and (4) anticipated future changes. (Author/LBH)

Used video technology to help social work students in aging see, hear, and feel a pertinent issue in social gerontology. Students involved in self-directed experiential learning situations with an older person documented these situations on videotape. Learner and subject together became teachers, communicating their understandings and perceptions…

Mirror-image animal and nonanimal words of three to six letters were presented to subjects in a reaction time categorization task. A significant interaction of Word Length X Block was found for words presented over all four blocks. A shift from component to holistic processing was found for the repeated words. (Author/RD)

Describes a study conducted at the University of Edinburgh that investigated new undergraduate students' experience, skills, and attitudes to technology in order to develop a university-wide ICT (information and communication technology) literacy strategy. Considers the changing gender ratio, with substantial increases in female students, as well…

Outlines a method for conducting a rural cultural-landscape field project. Notes that this activity is especially useful with students whose life experiences are primarily urban. Describes a cemetery survey, a small town reconnaissance, and rural land and building survey. Provides examples of student generated materials. (KO)

Universities in Australia have been using the course experience questionnaire (CEQ) for a number of years to measure the quality of teaching. Recently, there have been increasing calls for a broader perspective that takes into account the potential of non-classroom context influences on the student learning experience. This project undertook to…

This study examined instructional practices previously found to have improved student academic performance, the extent to which undergraduate students preferred these practices, how often they occurred in the classroom, and the relationship of these practices to grade point averages, motivation, educational preparation, and retention. A survey was…

Teaches an introductory course on issues of prejudice and discrimination. Assigns a two-essay autobiography and analysis of other student biographies. Encourages students to use their life experiences to articulate sociology's theoretical, conceptual, and substantive materials. Finds course effective in reducing ethnocentrism. (NL)

Investigates relationships among attributional style, life events, and depression in 143 Japanese undergraduates. Results indicate that negative experiences and depressogenic attributional styles increase the likelihood of depression, while positive experiences and enhancing attributional styles decrease the likelihood of depression. Suggests…

Undergraduate degree programs in the biosciences almost always include elements of biochemistry. In the United Kingdom, biosciences programs often have optional pathways to accommodate students of diverse interests. These programs rarely require students to demonstrate any school-level chemistry knowledge, and many students find biochemistry…

This paper reports on an investigation into learning through discussions by undergraduate social work students. Second-year students studying psychology for social work experienced discussions began with face-to-face tutorials, and then continued for some time after online. This study used closed-ended questionnaires to investigate what students…