This study investigated the usefulness of end user systems to library and information science students. Seventeen volunteers were offered free searching on BRS/After Dark and DIALOG's Knowledge Index. The search itself, postsearch questionnaire, and completed research papers were analyzed for databases used, cost and time online, and precision.…

Socialization of teaching assistants occurs through a process of communication as new teaching assistants learn what it means to be teachers as well as graduate students. The skills, behavior, and attitudes developed while one is a teaching assistant are important determinants of a future faculty role. (MLW)

Summarizes findings of a graduate school study on community networks (electronic townhalls) and their involvement with local public libraries. Representatives of 24 networks participated, answering telephone queries on network services, users, goals, funding, governance, technical design, social benefits, government information provision,…

Focuses on written business communication in a changing technological environment. The article presents the results of a questionnaire and interview study conducted among Finnish business professionals on their English business communication with special emphasis on developments in the organization, structure, and language of written…

A survey of 88 Mexican American female college seniors and graduate students found that graduate students were significantly more likely than seniors to have followed a college preparatory curriculum in public high schools where non-Hispanic whites were the majority; to report English as first language; and to have strong support of family,…

This study examined participants in a staff development seminar at Harvard University to determine why teachers participated in formal coursework and what benefits they received. Teachers believed that their completion of formal coursework contributed to their learning and growth and that their most meaningful learning resulted from the informal…

Describes establishment of a group at Washington University (Missouri) that encourages doctoral students to write for publication, focusing on the quality of the written work. Steps taken in starting group are detailed, internal review process is explained, evaluation of the first year is shared, and implications for other social work programs…

This article describes structured collaborative learning activities used in two graduate-level classes. Student and instructor perspectives on the activities are explored. Four perspectives emerged: (1) student expectations; (2) instructor tolerance for ambiguity and flexibility; (3) student reliance on authority; and (4) evaluation of student…

A graduate student in environmental education reflects on her experiences traveling throughout the United States on a converted school bus with 20 other people in an effort to gain insight into social issues and problems. This experience helped her realize how listening to others, respecting their opinions, and discovering common goals promotes…

Conceptualization and implementation of a program to train university teaching assistants at McGill University (Quebec) are described. The systematic approach to program development included needs assessment, planning and implementation, and evaluation. The relationship between various levels of the institution and the way in which they have…

The relationship between grade point average (GPA) and scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for 60 male and 7 female Asian graduate students in engineering was studied. The TOEFL is not an effective predictor of total GPA, although it measures English communication skills. (SLD)

Describes a project to produce classroom materials for world and U.S. history based on primary source documents. Recommends departing from textbooks to penetrate particular historical problems through the units described. Suggests that such projects teach students the complexity of history, encourage active learning, and display a variety of…

Examines the relationship between field work and counseling skill development for 73 trainees from 2 master's level counseling programs with different field-work requirements. Trainees with field-work experience respond differently than do inexperienced trainees, with greater empathy, better formulation of clinical impressions, and the ability to…

Reports on research by library science students for a public library to determine the information needs of a community's health-care professionals, their views of patient information needs, and the public library's ability to meet those needs. An added benefit was positive public relations with the medical community. (Contains 14 references.) (EAM)

School memories are salient to teacher development and practice. Descriptive essays on 410 graduate and undergraduate students' best and worst school memories were examined and categorized thematically. Formulations about the value and meanings of those memories for research and practice in teaching are presented. Themes include academic…