Since Coastline Community College (CCC) opened in Fall 1976, CCC has served as a model for the community-based, "college beyond walls" movement. CCC, which has no physical campus, uses 127 existing facilities throughout its service area, including public and private buildings, homes, and businesses. Besides eliminating high construction…

The Independent Study course at Waubonsee Community College is offered for two semester hours of credit, accumulative to a maximum of four semester hours. Students not completing their independent study project in one semester may receive an extension for an additional semester. Analysis of the records of 9l Independent Study enrollees in the…

This paper describes the Orange Plan, a learning support system at Orange Coast College (California) which creates alternatives to traditional educational experiences. The Orange Plan is composed of four subsystems: (1) learning contracts, (2) information systems, (3) resource consultants, and (4) interdisciplinary studies courses. Each subsystem…

In a self-directed learning teacher training model used at Algonquin College, students choose a personal learning advisor, tailor curriculum to their needs, build upon their existing knowledge base, select appropriate evaluation strategies and standards, and select a skill and carry out its development. Participants in the two-year program include…

A description is provided of Los Angeles Valley College's Life Science Learning Center (LSLC), which provides: (1) a resource center addressed to the individualized learning needs of students served by the Biology Department; (2) a learning environment enabling students to proceed in self-paced, activity-centered, concept-oriented experiences in…

Results of a study comparing Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) and lecture approaches using 301 community college students indicate that students in a PSI class do not perform better than students using a traditional lecture method, although PSI students scored higher on material learned early in the course. (MB)

The Independent Human Studies program at Schoolcraft College offers an alternative method of earning academic credits. Students delineate an area of study, pose research questions, gather resources, synthesize the information, state the thesis, choose the method of presentation, set schedules, and take responsibility for meeting deadlines. (MB)

Reports student achievement in and reaction to a self-instructional, group-paced course in U.S. history during a summer session. Students achieved higher grades and felt they learned more than in more conventional classes. Overall, this system proved beneficial althouth several areas of concern are noted. (JDS)

This handout is designed for students at Howard Community College who wish to earn upper-level credit in psychology through independent study or self-directed learning (SDL). Section I explains the differences between independent study, which involves the student meeting the instructor's course objectives through independent writing and research…

In 1982, a study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of the two individualized learning techniques used in the library instruction unit taught at Leeward Community College's library. Specifically, the study sought to determine whether there was a significant difference in the library instruction unit post-test scores of those college…

This study was designed to determine the extent and nature of independent study programs on the two-year college campuses across the western half of the nation. The study further sought to determine whether differences existed in the use of independent study in colleges as regards variance in enrollment, geographical location, type of control,…

This report provides a comprehensive description and record of all academic support services provided to students through the South Plains College Learning Center. After an introductory statement clarifies the ever-increasing need for academic support services at open-door institutions, a philosophy and mission statement and a detailed description…

Prepared to assist students at Empire State College in developing learning contracts for the study of the economics of health care delivery, this study guide discusses various aspects of the topic, suggests student projects, and provides an extensive bibliography. First, introductory material discusses the relationship of economics to health care…

A survey was sent to the entire institutional membership of the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges in spring 1975 in order to ascertain the extent of honors programs available for two-year college students of exceptional ability. Of the 1,270 institutions surveyed, 644 responded (51%). Results of the survey showed: (1) 47 of the…

Performance differences were not significant between men and women in Earth Science classes with fixed assignment deadlines, nor were achievement differences significant for women in self-paced sections compared to fixed deadline men or women. Men performed higher than women in self-paced groups, and higher than men or women in other learning…