This instructional design blends a structured learning environment (the physics lesson) with an engaging, playful, simulated environment (roller coaster construction), putting into operation ideas from both cognitive and constructivist theories. Two instructional models are used: a general design model for creating instruction and a lesson design…

Describes a study that compares the performance of students enrolled in supplemental instruction (SI) with those who were not, during four undergraduate courses at the University of Central Florida. Indicates that there were significant differences in grades between SI and non-SI students in biology and chemistry, but not in calculus and American…

Describes an innovative instructional paradigm for teaching business statistics in higher education which integrates classroom technologies with principles of learning. Highlights include recommendations from the National Research Council of the National Academy of Science; active student participation; student feedback; allowing for…

This study examined the effects of the number of links and the granularity of nodes on undergraduate and graduate students' information searching, learning performance, and attitude toward hypermedia systems. Discusses the relationship between the number of links and cognitive overhead an/or disorientation as well as implications for Web-based…

Advocates change in the way American Indian languages are taught in schools and by tribal elders, specifically that they should be taught orally in the classroom. Asserts that American Indian languages must be taught in the context of everyday conversation, not as isolated words, and that new words should also be invented in response to the…

Describes the results of a study that tracked college algebra students who had previously completed an Academic Assistance mathematics course that facilitated collaborative learning. Only 53% of all students who enrolled in college algebra in fall 1994 earned grades of C or higher, but 95% of students who had previously participated in the…

Investigated efficiency of a computer-aided teaching program with different scaffolding levels in learning improvement of low achieving third-graders. Found no significant achievement differences between scaffolding groups, but the higher the scaffolding level the more advanced students' strategies were. The highest scaffolding level was…

Debriefing is an important phase in using simulation games. Participants are invited to make a connection between experiences gained from playing the game and experiences in real-life situations. Thus, debriefing is the phase meant to encourage learning from the simulation game. Although design and practice of debriefing sessions should be aligned…

Purpose: This paper aims to describe a research project that is addressing the employability of individuals in the higher-cost Irish economy. Design/methodology/approach: The Programme for University-Industry Interface (PUII) uses a community-of-practice methodology combined with academic research. Findings: A number of emerging enterprise models…

In this study, the authors investigated the effect of Zarco, an operations management "mock factory" experiential learning activity, on student recollection of operations management concepts. Using a number of single-factor and multiple-factor analyses of variance, the authors compared the recollection of students treated with the Zarco activity…

One of the most noticeable changes to the university student profile over the last decade is the increasing number of mature-age students. This study examined the relationship between previous academic performance, psychological characteristics of the student, learning strategies, and the first year academic performance of school leavers and…

The authors of this study used the structural equation model (SEM) approach to test a model that hypothesized the influence of student learning strategies, internet and campus technology, quality of instruction and overall college experience, and student-faculty interaction on student academic achievement. Further a SEM model was developed to link…

In the author's previous teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) experience, he had found that Chinese university students were overdependent on teachers in EFL learning. Drawing on research on language learning strategies, he used metacognition training (MT) as a form of classroom intervention to promote learner autonomy. This article…

Concern is growing about the education of the students regarded as least likely to succeed in school. Labeled "reluctant," "at risk," "disadvantaged," "alienated," "resistant," "educational deprived," or what Rose (1995) calls "educational underprepared," these students come disproportionately from low SES (socioeconomic status) families and from…

Although most students view science through a positive lens they often have difficulty connecting the science that they study in school with the practice of science in general, and their personal experience with science in their everyday lives. In an attempt to mediate "school science" with a more authentic view of science a contextual model is…