Self-regulation is an essential skill for lifelong learning. Research has shown that self-regulated learning (SRL) leads to greater academic achievement and sustainable education, but students often struggle with SRL. Scaffolds are widely reported as an effective and efficient support method for SRL. To further improve digital scaffolds'…

Self-determination skills are a potential predictor of post-school success for individuals with disabilities. This study examined the perspectives of special educators of students in preschool through age 22 in one school district who participated in multiple professional development and coaching sessions on self-determination including the…

Three external degree programs--National Ed.D. Program for Educational Leaders, Nova University (Florida); University External Studies Program, University of Pittsburgh; and Field Centered Courses, Department of Early Childhood Education, Kent State University--are compared on the basis of a series of questions. Is the course designed for a…

The effects of self-instructional use of programed creativity materials for gifted and regular students were investigated. Pre- and post-tests of creative thinking were administered. Students in the creativity training group attained significantly greater gains on verbal fluency. Creative thinking abilities were improved for both gifted and…

Research designed to compare the effectiveness of independent study and the more traditional methods of college instruction as they are related to student learning is summarized in the report. Some of the new curriculum patterns inaugurated to improve instruction are described. Several experimental programs are discussed in sufficient detail to…

This publication is the first in the series, "New Dimensions in Higher Education," which developed from a concern for the problems facing colleges and universities. Independent study and its implications for increasing educational effectiveness are examined in terms of: honors programs; independent study programs; the interest in, and scope,…

The initiation of an individualized baccalaureate degree at the General College of the University of Minnesota led to an increased burden on the faculty. A study identifying how much "real time" faculty spend in advising, with whom, and on what kinds of activities is presented. (JMF)

This booklet, the second in a series, reports on the results of a year-long research project conducted in an experimental school associated with the Learning Research and Development Center, University of Pittsburgh. Specifically, this is a report of findings pertaining to one major setting in the experimental school, the science lab. The science…

Attributes of experimental programs, colleges, and institutional projects are described in this compilation, which extends previous reports in the series by reviewing the extent to which experimental programs and colleges make use of independent study and new approaches to teaching and learning. This report also deals with some of the implications…

Methods and implications of various reforms in higher education are assessed. Such concepts as individualization, new roles for the teacher, the learning contract, the planning portfolio, and other wide-ranging resources for learning are discussed. Specific implications include: (1) the existence of more options and possibilities for students…

Summaries of studies or experiments dealing with some aspect of independent study are compiled in this report. The papers include: (1) "The Future of Self-Directed Study," by Howard E. Gruber; (2) "Freshman Seminars at Harvard," by Eric W. Shaw; (3) "Independent Study in Honors Programs," by Philip I. Mitterling; (4)…

Evaluation of prior learning for the External Degree Program at Florida International University is described. Efforts in the following areas are presented: (1) implementation and evaluation of the competency-based assessment tool, (2) integration of the assessment process with other processes of the External Degree Program and the entire…

Six special education resource teachers pilot tested a manual designed to train teachers to use direct and frequent measurement techniques to monitor students' progress toward individualized goals and to evaluate the effectiveness of the students' instructional program. The accuracy of implementation of the procedures described in the manual and…

This paper reports on how factors related to students' impending graduate medical education (GME) influenced the design of their individual curricula in an alternative medical education program. Ten students of the Independent Study Program (ISP) of the College of Medicine at Chicago/University of Illinois participated in the study through…