Schools have implemented the high-impact practice of first-year experience (FYE) courses to assist students with the transition to college. These courses help connect new students to the school with the goal of improving retention. While students in computing majors face the same challenges as other new college students, they also face some…

We evaluate the effectiveness of companion classes designed to support at-risk first-year students in introductory biology and chemistry within the University of California system. Companion classes (co-classes) are optional classes associated with large, gateway biology and chemistry courses (parent classes) and provide three hours of instruction…

This paper reports on the evaluation of an ambitious attempt to embed academic literacy support within a core content course for first-year students at the University of the South Pacific. The course is offered in both blended and online modes, catering for on-campus and off-campus students, respectively, using Moodle as the virtual learning…

This paper describes a one-credit laboratory course for freshmen majoring in electrical and computer engineering (ECE). The course is motivational in nature and exposes the students to a wide range of areas of electrical and computer engineering. The authors believe it is important to give freshmen a broad perspective of what ECE is all about, and…

A program was developed at the University of Puget Sound (Washington) to meet the needs of students "at-risk" for poor academic performance or attrition because of inadequate pre-college preparation. Advising sections (small--15 or 20 students--sections of regularly-offered courses, whose instructor serves as the student's academic…

Innovative use of film constituted the core of an experimental, team taught, interdisciplinary course designed to assist first-generation college students undecided as to major course of study to gain personal awareness of the interconnectedness of self and society. Course content, staffing, and evaluation are outlined. (JT)

The purpose of this paper is to briefly describe what student-centeredness means and how it differs from more traditional modes of teaching-learning, and then to exemplify how the student-centered approach might work in a freshman composition course. Following a statement of objectives for a student-centered composition course is a discussion of…

This paper briefly examines the viability and potential of a non-remedial college freshman composition course designed for those Mexican-American students who are capable of entering and successfully completing the regular freshman English class. The rhetorical concepts and skills of composition normally taught in Freshman English can more easily…

This article describes the efforts of Southwestern University to provide students with the opportunity to incorporate disability studies into liberal arts education, resulting in the requirement that first-year students take the course "Disability, Society, and Ethical Issues." The content of the course is outlined. (CR)

This paper describes a freshman composition course at a community college which was taught by television and which included thirty 30-minute tapes and an accompanying study guide. Entitled "Writing for a Reason," the primary objective of the course was to help students write effectively so they will be able to fulfill their writing requirements in…

Describes a community service-learning seminar for college freshmen, focusing on education for empowerment. Notes an inherent dichotomy: students need to learn specific, empowering ways to interact with community members even while confronting uncomfortable issues but remain empowered themselves by how the service-learning course is designed and…

The development of a freshman seminar at Ohio State University over 70 years is chronicled, looking at the impact of historical influences and the changing values of higher education on the character of the course. The structure and content of the current course are also outlined. (MSE)

Describes a library user education program for first-year students at Zambia's Copperbelt University that is designed to increase student awareness of available resources; improve their skills in independent learning; and enhance the presentation of their coursework. Planning user education programs in conjunction with faculty and other…

Freshman courses designed to increase the integration of students into college environments and thus decrease attrition rates are described based on a review of current practices of 20 colleges and universities. Core components are informal contact with peers, faculty, and staff; a small group setting; and cognitive and affective learning. (JMF)