1. Study Practices of Adult Learners in Distance Education: Frequency of Use and Effectiveness.
- Author
-
Bernt, Frank M. and Bugbee, Alan C.
- Abstract
A survey of study behaviors was mailed to 300 adult students enrolled in two distance learning programs of The American College. The sample included three groups: high passers, low passers, and failers. The survey instrument was a 50-item rating scale measuring study practices in six areas: elaborative processing, information processing, attitude management, executive monitoring, effortfulness, and strategic test-taking. The overall return rate for the questionnaire was 66 percent. A discriminant analysis indicated that both high and low passing groups differed from the failing group on all six study dimensions, but that the executive monitoring and strategic test-taking scales were the strongest predictors of group membership. Specific study practices most frequently used by all three groups included using practice tests for review, intensive studying the night before the exam, underlining important material, and relating reading material to one's own experience. Fewer than 20 percent of each group reported using charts or outlines to summarize material, writing out a study schedule prior to beginning a course, and overlearning course material. Specific skills used by only the high-achieving group included skimming the text, reading all of the assigned study material, mental rehearsal, and overlearning. (23 references, 5 tables) (CML)
- Published
- 1990