This study aims to find out the dominant factors that cause students' difficulties in learning abstract algebra. The factors investigated in this study focused on attitude, motivation, prior knowledge, lecturer performance, learning methods, as well as teaching materials. This study is a descriptive research using a survey method. We involved 30…

The indicators and predictors of dropout as documented in the literature are vast and encompass influences such as family, motivation, socio-economic status, and academic achievement, and could be accepted as universal reasons students choose to leave school and not return. This qualitative study investigated the reasons why students in one West…

This article aims to investigate reasons underpinning academic help-seeking behaviours of Chinese students in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Data were collected from 23,563 secondary students. The study found significant differences both in attitudes and reported behaviour among secondary school students from the three locations, however, the effect…

This article uses "close-up" ethnographic research to provide an account of students' engagement with learning in a South African university. Broadly based on Halliday's [Halliday, M. A. K. (1973). "Explorations in the functions of language". London: Edward Arnold; Halliday, M. A. K. (1978). "Language as social…

A special discussion class provides students with an organized outlet for expressing their dissatisfactions. (MF)

By means of a questionnaire and discussions among groups of British women aged 25-40 in general education courses, the author investigated three topics: (1) students' perceived and endorsed reasons for attending the course, (2) the problems which they met, and (3) their preferred format and regulations for such a course. (AJ)

Describes a study using two open-ended, in-class surveys to determine the reasons students gave for missing social science classes. The five most important reasons given were "I was sick,""I needed to prepare for a test/assignment in another class,""I was tired/sleepy," and "I overslept." (DMM)

The purpose of this study was to compare differences in alcohol use and associated problems between two Hispanic youth groups. The subjects, from two different southwest sites, were self-identified Hispanics. Seventh and 12th graders from a northern New Mexico (NNM) (N=64) school and from a school on the U.S.-Mexico border (USM) (N=88) were…

Returning adult students enrolled in graduate programs at the University of Wisconsin's School of Education and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences were studied. The sample of 25 male and 48 female students were 25 years of age and older, U.S. citizens, and had been out of school for 3 years. Students completed a biographical assessment,…

This report of the Southern Regional Education Board (Atlanta, Georgia) offers results of a study of black student attitudes, and statements by the project coordinators on these results. Teachers, parents, community leaders, and students attending high schools and junior colleges in five communities were interviewed to provide the information.…

To improve resource room students' attitudes toward education, a teacher identified model special education students who could supply peer support and asked them to serve on a panel. The panel responded to students' questions about problems associated with being in resource classes and about setting and achieving reasonable goals. (JDD)

Women who had been out of the educational system for some time and who had returned to a variety of college situations were interviewed in depth regarding their reasons for returning and the degree to which the colleges were meeting their needs as returning students. From the interview data, discussions with women's reentry program staff, and a…

As one phase of a larger inquiry (See SP 004 601, SP 004 602, and SP 004 603) aimed ultimately at increasing the quantity and quality of doctoral degree holders in the field of professional education, a study surveyed conditions affecting pursuit of the doctoral degree in education. Questionnaires were sent to all available individuals who…

Low self-esteem frequently impedes students' academic achievement. By incorporating different learning and teaching strategies, this practicum attempted to build self-esteem for fifth grade students who exhibited low self-esteem. Participants were selected based on their attendance, academic achievement, and/or behavior. The writer incorporated…

This action research project implemented and evaluated a program for increasing student engagement and retention through the use of authentic assessment and cooperative groups. The targeted population consisted of one sixth grade class in an elementary school and two ninth grade classes in a high school located in different communities in the far…