Founded in 1975 as a magnet school, Isaac Dickson school adopted the Foxfire approach in 1992. Instead of a one-size-fits-all process, students participate in planning their own learning, and teachers serve as facilitators, ensuring that each learner has developmentally appropriate subject matter and resources. Test scores verify that this…

Discusses the creation of a reading niche for second-language learners to motivate their development as independent readers, emphasizing that book selection for this niche should cater to student interests and that informal discussion of the books' subject matter should take place. (six references) (CK)

The program used by French-language teachers at the University of Lausanne (Switzerland) to develop software for students' independent study is described, and the process of creating an interactive exercise is illustrated. The ease and flexibility of authoring is highlighted. (MSE)

Describes a prototype of computer-assisted language learning software, "BUSCA," that attempts to bridge the gap between commercially available, but pedagogically unsound, Spanish Foreign Language learning programs. The article notes that "BUSCA" is designed to be integrated into a formal course to assist students to become…

Interviews with students at an alternative high school for at-risk students in Estes Park, Colorado, reveal their attitudes toward learning, the instructional program, and the learning environment. Finds, for example, that students value teachers who care and hands-on learning experiences. (PKP)

Reports on a study which evaluated student attitudes toward a new bibliographic instruction (BI) manual designed to address their individual needs and compares the results with those of previous studies on BI methods, i.e., lecture and discussion practicum versus a self-guided workbook. It is concluded that the new manual is regarded more…

Men and women (N=60) who had begun doctoral studies between ages of 37 and 48, half in traditional and half in self-directed learning (SDL) programs, completed 2 questionnaires. Significant ego development was found in the nonauthoritarian SDL environments, which were challenging and nurturing and fostered content mastery, skill acquisition, and…

Using student interviews, teacher ratings, and achievement test outcomes, a strategy model of student self-regulated learning was validated as a theoretical construct. Results with 44 male and 36 female 10th graders indicate both convergent and discriminative validity for a self-regulated learning construct. (TJH)

Describes the first two years of an innovative telephone-assisted language program at Ohio State University. Administration and structure of this individualized instructional program are detailed. Student body profiles, including age, occupation, reason for enrollment, and tables of student performance according to language, number of units…

A survey of 61 pharmacy students in 2 undergraduate patient counseling courses investigated attitudes concerning use of learning contracts. Results indicated most students were highly inclined toward self-directed learning, contracts were clear on grading expectations, and contract grading facilitated learning and reduced classroom anxiety and…

Describes a computer-based self-diagnosis study aid designed to assist adult student distance learners prepare for exams by providing practice exams, short quizzes on specific assignments, and feedback on student performances. Student characteristics, performance, and attitudes are examined; and future possibilities are considered. (Contains five…

Describes practical guidelines constructed by the staff of a large-scale self-access English language instruction project in Malaysia, focusing on the production of self-access materials in a situation where staff have limited resources, where both quantity and quality are required, and where there is a need to provide an in-house look to the…

A pharmacy course in nonprescription drugs in which student evaluation was based on homework assignments, written reflective paragraphs, and class attendance but not examinations was seen by students as enhancing their personal sense of responsibility for learning. (Author/MSE)

Analysis of an adult's self-study of Hungarian pinpoints lexis as the major learning priority. Personalized, real-message practice tasks appeared vital for motivation and for input to become automatized. The crossing of two linguistic thresholds appeared crucial--the gaining of a large stock of word-roots and the ability to read authentic texts.…

Provides an overview of alternatives to whole-class instruction which incorporate limited individualization. Discusses the purpose and process of using tiered activities, learning outcomes/mastery learning, learning centers, cooperative learning, computer-assisted learning, and self-directed learning (including negotiated contracts, journals,…