The problem of low student completion rates in distance learning courses remains one of the major issues that institutions of higher learning face. Efforts by school administrators to reverse this trend have so far produced mixed results. The rapid expansion of distance learning has encouraged many institutions to move more courses online,…

This research study investigated the effectiveness of pair programming as a pedagogical tool measured by final course grades. It also aims to examine the experience perceptions of students regarding its implementation in an introductory computer programming course at a community college. In this study, a quantitative and qualitative approach was…

The purpose of this study was to see if a relationship existed between American College Testing (ACT) scores (i.e., English, reading, mathematics, science reasoning, and composite) and student success in a computer applications course at a Mississippi community college. The study showed that while the ACT scores were excellent predictors of…

There is common agreement among researchers that women are under-represented in both 2-year and 4-year collegiate computer study programs. This leads to women being under-represented in the computer industry which may be limiting the progress of technology developments that will benefit mankind. It may also be depriving women of the opportunity to…

In this educational study, the research problem was that each semester a variable number of community college students are unable to complete an introductory computer applications course at a community college in the state of Mississippi with a successful course letter grade. Course failure, or non-success, at the collegiate level is a negative…

At the end of the Fall 2011 semester at Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC) a comparison of grade patterns in multiple CIS 100-Introduction to Computers courses was analyzed. This analysis found online courses returned a higher failure rate than those taught in a classroom setting. Why was there a difference? Is the platform of…

Compares student achievement in introductory computer science courses before and after the introduction of a competency-based course syllabus. Finds little difference in the performance of 1988 and 1989 summer students. Fall competency-based students had a higher dropout rate but increased performance. (DMM)

This study explored the relationship between assignment-based teaching methods and achievement in an introductory programming course. Subjects in the study were 42 community college students in south Mississippi. All participants completed the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal and the Productive Environment Preferences Survey. These…

Describes study of two-year college students that was conducted to determine whether variables that were predictors of success in a programing class were also predictors of success in a package-oriented computer class using Lotus 1-2-3. Diagraming skill, critical thinking ability, spatial discrimination, and test anxiety level were examined. (11…

Results of a study that compared the performance of students in high technology programs in engineering and computer science are presented, with emphasis on students' mathematical preparation. The study population involved 175 transfer students who completed their mathematical prerequisites at three community colleges and 188 students who…

The transcripts of 8,873 students, representing 7% of the enrollments in the Los Angeles Community College District, were examined to determine course participation and completion rates in science. Six curricular areas were investigated: (1) agriculture; (2) biological sciences; (3) engineering; (4) mathematics and computer science; (5) physical…

Examined the transcripts of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) and non-ESL students at 10 community and senior colleges in New York to compare grades in six categories of academic courses. Findings revealed that ESL students performed satisfactorily in comparison to their non-ESL peers with two exceptions. (11 references) (Author/CK)