A study skills program is proposed to help students in developmental programs acquire the real learning process required for success in an academic setting. Based on a developmental, personalized theory of instruction, the program has a general planning and instruction procedure that contains the following three steps: (1) The study skills task is…

Edmund W. Gordon, noted for his research on diverse human characteristics and pedagogy related to the education of low-status populations, responds to questions on learning styles and their modification, cultural background, hemispheric dominance, instructional design, teaching methods, matching teacher and student characteristics, and the use of…

Describes psychometric issues associated with three different learning styles models (visual, auditory, and haptic), and the instruments designed to assess those models. Presents some background to the learning styles idea along with suggestions for utilizing this information with developmental students. The learning styles instruments discussed…

Describes a program adding a counseling component to a developmental writing course to address students' sense of isolation through sessions on group formation, goal setting, values clarification, and strength identification. Reports that program participants outperformed nonremedial students in subsequent composition courses. (PAA)

There has been a significant increase in the numbers of underprepared students entering colleges and universities. At Schoolcraft College, in Michigan, data consistently indicate that large percentages of students score below college level in reading, writing, and mathematics skills. Classroom techniques that can help faculty better meet the needs…

These five serial issues focus on the outcomes of developmental education. Featured are the following articles: (1) "Developmental Instruction: What Really Makes a Difference?" by Hunter R. Boylan, which reviews several research-based models or theories of learning, including the Carroll model, the Bloom model, and the Bruner model, and discusses…

Two main points should be noted concerning strategies recommended for teaching basic writing students. First, teachers can develop only those strategies that are consonant with their own personalities and that will enable students to develop their own writing strategies. Second, whatever strategies are selected should lead students beyond the…

Supports the use of the applied linguistics technique of error analysis (i.e., charting and analyzing patterns in language errors) in developmental writing instruction. Argues that error enables teachers to diagnose the cognitive strategies and processes used by students in writing. Discusses teaching strategies and the approach's limitations.…

This monograph, consisting of four sections, focuses on developmental education in the higher education setting. The first section, by Johnnie Ruth Clarke, provides an overall perspective on learning through developmental programs. Included are discussions of the developmental approach, developmental students and instructional activities, and…

This guide is designed to offer interesting, authentic practice in reading college-level technical textbooks and periodical articles. The book contains actual reading assignments and strategies to help students improve comprehension and to develop metacognitive insight into their own reading processes. The guide is presented in three levels, each…

Learning improvement programs for underprepared postsecondary students are reviewed, and a Decision Guide for Effective Programs, which summarizes knowledge needed for decision making, is presented. Research data are analyzed to identify features of learning improvement programs associated with improved grade point average and retention.…

The Loop College's Individual Needs (IN) Program is a total support service and academic program for high-risk students during their first semesters at the college. This descriptive report begins by describing IN's personnel requirements and the duties of the program director, the program advisor, the senior tutor/Developmental Learning Manager…