This paper is a summary of a small-scale research project carried out to investigate the transition from A-level to university physics, with a specific focus on practical or laboratory skills. A brief description of the methods used precedes the headline findings of the research. A non-evidential discussion of the possible reasons behind any…

In instructional multimedia design, it is often recommended that text accompanying pictures be presented in a personalised style to promote learning. The superiority of personalised over formal text is may be explained using social agency theory (Mayer, 2005b), but it has not been investigated empirically whether such effects are valid in…

When students enter the classroom, they often hold prior knowledge or conceptions about the natural world. These conceptions will influence how they come to understand what they are taught in school. Some of their existing knowledge provides good foundation for formal schooling, but other prior conceptions, however, are incompatible with currently…

Discusses the use of a questionnaire at the beginning of a history of psychology course to assess student knowledge of historical findings, major concepts, and assumptions about the nature of psychology. Responses indicate areas for future course emphases and reveal shortcomings in other psychology courses. (GEA)

Analyzes junior high school students' astronomy conceptions by means of a written questionnaire and delineates the main findings. Focuses on the effect on climate of the relative positions of the earth, moon and sun. (Contains 41 references.) (DDR)

Taking students out into the field to visit properties has been a foundation of agricultural education practice in Australian higher education. These excursions are invariably popular with students, but their enjoyment of these activities may be largely due to factors other than the achievement of learning outcomes. This paper reports on a…

Presents a sampling of questions from a districtwide survey that was designed to determine elementary and secondary school librarians' prior knowledge about and use of computers and software; what software and hardware was available at each school and how it was used; training needs; and the interpretation of policies on purchasing. (LRW)

This article addresses the learning of second language (L2) writing skills to show how pictures can be used as an effective guided writing tool to facilitate students' writing process and to improve their writing proficiency. A study was conducted with 53 university students who had a prior knowledge of Spanish in secondary school. All students…

Discusses the need for colleges to develop strategies for integrating information technology and allocating appropriate funds, and describes a study at Temple University that investigated student and faculty computer literacy and experience in the College of Allied Health Professions. Results of questionnaires were also used to identify faculty…

The planning and implementation of a multimedia college program for Nebraska are described. In addition to providing background information on the State University of Nebraska (SUN) project and the staff involved, the July 1971 proposal and a position paper outlining a plan for evaluating experiences other than formal credit courses are included.…

Results of a national survey, "Attracting and Retaining Adult Learners" (ARAL), by the American College Testing Program are summarized. Attention is focused on programs and services that have been successful with adult learners. ARAL respondents were from three types of institutions: (1) those for whom adult learners represent a primary thrust of…

This document consists of four papers that were read as a joint presentation on learning in the workplace and credentials in employment. Reported in the first paper, "Educational Credentials in Employment: A Nationwide Survey" by Andrew G. Malizio and Douglas R. Whitney, are the results of a survey in which 1,500 members of the American…

In response to state legislation calling for a comprehensive report on the transferability of vocational courses from high school to community colleges and four-year institutions, questionnaires were sent to all of Michigan's 29 community colleges and 15 universities. The survey sent to universities focused on the extent to which a college…