An exploratory study sought reactions from adult students to study materials provided for them in an independent study program. This study is part of an effort to improve instructional materials for distance education by relating the actual study strategies used by students to instructional design components. (EAO)

Suggests the use of self-management techniques to improve student performance. Discusses three areas of student involvement: selecting goals or standards, assessing and recording performance, and rewarding oneself when performance reaches specified goal. Sees academic benefits of this method as greater student responsibility, success, and…

In well-established disciplines there is largely traditional agreement about what subject areas should be included. When new disciplines emerge, decisions about their content seem more problematic. This article answers the questions of what distance education as an academic teaching discipline should cover. (Availability: Open University, 70…

To examine the effect of learning contracts on independent study students, study contracts were offered to high school and university students. The contracts were found to be effective in stimulating students to complete initial assignments, but their effect on course completion rate was weak. (CJ)

Using the case study method as the primary teaching strategy in law-related education is particularly appropriate with gifted students because of its emphasis on critical thinking and independent learning. Steps in the case study approach are reviewed, and a sample clasroom application of the approach is offered. (Author/SW)

Reviews research results and arguments supporting Keller's Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) as a paradigm for distance learning, describes a project at Athabasca University which compared various PSI configurations for distance learning, and discusses the advantages, disadvantages, and flexibility of PSI for such use. Nineteen references…

The Zoo School, housed in the Grand Rapids, Michigan, city zoo, provides a challenging one-year program for highly motivated, but not necessarily gifted, sixth graders. Using the zoo as a laboratory, its goal is to teach students about the contemporary world and to develop them as independent learners. (Author/SJL)

As computer systems play a larger role in student financial aid, the aid officer needs at least some expertise in computer programing. The advantages of the BASIC computer language for learning computer programing are discussed. The kinds of programs that can be written by the financial aid officer are identified. (MLW)

The effects of interpersonal cooperation, competition, and individualistic efforts were compared on a categorization and retrieval, a spatial-reasoning, and a verbal problem-solving task. Forty-five first-grade children were stratified on the basis of sex and ability. Students in the cooperative condition achieved best. (Author/CTM)

Describes an independent study program for college students who wish to pursue a truly independent course of studies. Gives examples of individual programs which grew from students' needs and professional experience. Outlines guidelines for independent study. (Author/RC)

The ways in which students can be assisted to learn how to learn and hence to be prepared to undertake an active involvement in their own continuing education are discussed. The curriculum at the medical school at the University of Newcastle, Australia is described. (Author/MLW)

A survey of student research in U.S. medical schools is described, including a University of Florida medical student research program. Analysis of the Florida program participants showed a 74 percent endorsement of research as an important, positive educational experience. (Author/MLW)

By keeping a diary of her class activities, the author was able to analyze her teaching behaviors and judge if they helped or hindered her goal of developing her students as independent learners. Extracts from the diary are included. (SJL)

A study of the interactive effects of achievement anxiety, academic achievement, and instructional mode on performance and course attitudes found evidence that for the students with low cumulative point-hour ratios and initially high anxiety, the television lecture-supervised laboratory mode provided a more facilitating learning environment. (LRA)

Advocates a skills-based curriculum as an inexpensive way of preparing children for the future. Briefly discusses the eight independent learning skills to be taught: reading, writing, research, planning, problem solving, self discipline, self evaluation, and presentation. This model was developed at the Zoo School in Grand Rapids, Michigan. (SJL)