In the boxplot, the box always represents -- regardless of its area -- the middle half of the data and thus a measure of variability (interquartile range). However, when students first learn about boxplots, they are usual already familiar with other forms of statistical representations (e.g., bar or circle graphs) in which a larger area represents…

Student dropout is a significant concern for university administrators, students and other stakeholders. Dropout is recognised as highly complex due to its multi-causality, which is expressed in the existing relationship in its explanatory variables associated with students, their socio-economic and academic conditions, and the characteristics of…

In this paper, we describe a theoretically-grounded data mining approach to identify types of collaborative problem solvers based on students' interactions with an online simulation-based task about electronics concepts. In our approach, we developed an ontology to identify the theoretically-grounded features of collaborative problem solving…

In the 21st century, attainment of a college degree is more important than ever to achieve economic self-sufficiency, employment, and an adequate standard of living. Projections suggest that by 2020, 65% of jobs available in the U.S. will require postsecondary education. This reality creates an unprecedented demand for higher education, and…

Learner categorization has a pivotal role in making e-learning systems a success. However, learner characteristics exploited at abstract level of granularity by contemporary techniques cannot categorize the learners effectively. In this paper, an architecture of e-learning framework has been presented that exploits the machine learning based…

The case study presented here highlights a unique method of collecting data for phenomenological qualitative studies. Drawing from many scholars in qualitative research, Irving Seidman developed this method of in-depth interviewing with attributes of validity and reliability. It is a time-intensive method in which three interviews are conducted,…

The efficacy of online learning programs is tied to the suitability of the program in relation to the target audience. Based on the dataset that provides information on student enrollment, academic performance, and demographics extracted from a data warehouse of a large Southwest institution, this study explored the factors that could distinguish…

This mixed-methods investigation compared the relative impacts of instructional approach and context of nature of science instruction on preservice elementary teachers' understandings. The sample consisted of 75 preservice teachers enrolled in four sections of an elementary science methods course. Independent variables included instructional…

This paper critically examines traditional means of assessing college students' need for remediation and suggests as a replacement an expanded definition of college readiness, where readiness is more complex than rudimentary content knowledge and more multifaceted than a single cut point. The paper presents and explains four dimensions of…

Institutional leaders, educators, and policymakers are challenged to improve educational outcomes for all students, including Latinos. "Excelencia" in Education responds to this challenge by linking research, policy, and practice that supports higher educational achievement for Latino students. Premier in this effort is Examples of…

The importance of college degree completion for U.S. society and economic competitiveness makes it imperative to improve educational outcomes for Latino students. Institutional leaders, educators, and policymakers who recognize this imperative are challenged to determine what they can do to improve educational outcomes for Latino students.…

In this study, a descriptive summary is presented of the student population enrolled in member colleges of the Junior College District of Metropolitan Kansas City, Missouri. The profile data in this study are the result of a student questionnaire administered to students attending district community colleges during fall semester 1973. Of the total…

As enrollments in engineering programs soar, many schools have been forced to control enrollment, resulting in a large population of pre-engineering majors. To aid in the understanding and advising of these majors, student profiles reflecting motivation patterns are presented. (MLW)

A Student Characteristics Module was developed as part of the Needs Assessment Project of the Central Florida Community Colleges' Consortium. Utilizing student admissions applications, a student characteristics survey was made of the personal and socioeconomic characteristics of 2,905 students admitted to Central Florida Community College 1971-73.…

This document reports on a research project covering the attitudes of craft apprentices toward the objectives of further education and the incentives in pursuing craft apprenticeship courses. The experimental design was ad hoc. The Research Officer drew up an interview schedule which would elicit information on some of the major attitudinal areas.…