Reading professional literature may be undertaken without a large investment of time or money, yet it still provides a way to increase one's professional knowledge and maintain competencies. To be successful in one's reading, the adult education practitioner needs to consider three aspects of a professional reading program: finding the time,…

A study examined the effectiveness of group and self-directed interventions for developing stress-coping resources among students in three associate degree nursing programs. The 46 students in the modified curriculum group received instruction in two stress-monitoring techniques and three tension control exercises. The second group (n = 61)…

This paper discusses the development and use of student self-study centers in language programs, focusing on the experiences of a language teacher in developing such a center at Cultura Inglesia in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Self-study centers may be defined as a set of facilities aimed at providing students with the opportunity of learning…

The materials contained in this document are intended for use in a training session for adult educators. The document is designed with the following objectives in mind: inspire adult educators to increase their knowledge of critical thinking in distance education, stimulate participants to foster critical thinking in adult learners, and provide…

Distance education may be considered in two ways: (1) as a substitute for conventional, face-to-face education; and (2) as a mode of education in its own right. Those who view distance education the first way treat students as members of a class and include a fixed schedule of classes, assignments, and course duration. Those viewing distance…

A study evaluated preparatory methods of developing competence to become certified as an Iowa Fire Fighter I. Hypotheses were that no significant differences in written examination scores would be found when comparing structured learning with self-study preparation or when comparing candidate gender; a significant difference would be found in…

These language testing guidelines--grouped according to the five categories of the oral language interview: grammar, comprehension, pronunciation, vocabulary, and language utilization (communicative competence)--are presented for the language proficiency examiner. Brief guidelines for assessment are given for each of five levels of proficiency,…

Test wiseness programs and computer assisted study skills instruction (CASSI) were found to be valuable resources for college reading and study skills instructors and students at St. Cloud State University (Minnesota). Two booklets on test wiseness cues were reorganized and used as computer programs to allow the information to be presented outside…

A study of the learning orientation of 220 female registered nurses concluded that there was still a need to determine more accurately the utility of learning orientations as predictors of participation in different types of learning activities. (Author/BP)

A summary of curricular innovations (career education, experiential education, competency-based education, interdisciplinary courses, independent study, calendar change) with discussion of reasons for resistance (poor quality, intellectual work involved, lack of concept of "curriculum"). (JT)

The article reports on interviews with young managers who are facing the challenge of independent learning to qualify for advancement and to stay ahead of still younger men with more recent training. The managers answered questions as to their learning agendas, their learning strategies, and their chances for successful learning. (Author/BP)

Steps are presented for developing a course of independent study in an industrial arts context; behavioral objectives are emphasized. A sample "quest sheet" illustrates the method. (AJ)

John Dewey High School has initiated a program which hopes to compensate for a lack of interesting and relevant materials in Italian instruction. Programs such as independent study and open classroom, which emphasize active participation and individual needs, and which serve to broaden the ordinary classroom experience are described. (AM)

Lesson planning can be divided into three types--content, process, and context. Each type helps to organize classroom activities, and together they establish the ambiance of the learners' journey. Content plans focus on information students should know. Instructional strategies designed to introduce or elaborate the content presentation should be…

A review examined briefly the past, present, and the probable future of independent study in the United States. The review considered the historical position of correspondence study, the factors that support the concept of independent study, and the trends now favoring distance education as a broader and more viable construct. It focused on the…