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The purpose of this article was to identify a potentially useful theoretical framework to classify learning strategies and to determine specific learning tactics that may be useful in a distance education environment. Although a variety of taxonomies describe and classify student learning, McKeachie, Pintrich, Lin, and Smith (1986) proposed a taxonomy that encompasses the cognitive, metacognitive, and resource management aspects of learning. In this article, this model served as the theoretical framework to further identify specific learning tactics that may be useful in a distance education environment. In terms of specific cognitive strategies, note-taking was the only tactic found to distinguish between achievement levels. Metacognitive strategies including planning, monitoring, and self-regulation distinguished between achievement levels of students. Resource management strategies such as learning schedules, quality studying, motivation, and communicating with the instructor also distinguished between achievement levels of students. Although several specific tactics have been identified aspredictors of student success, a paucity of research involving adult students in distance education environments was prevalent. Thus, research is needed to test experimentally the proposed theoretical framework and specific learning tactics in a distance education environment.

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Various lepidopteran insects are responsible for major crop losses worldwide. Although crop plant varieties developed to express Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins are effective at controlling damage from key lepidopteran pests, some insect populations have evolved to be insensitive to certain Bt proteins. Here, we report the discovery of a family of homologous proteins, two of which we have designated IPD083Aa and IPD083Cb, which are from Adiantum spp. Both proteins share no known peptide domains, sequence motifs, or signatures with other proteins. Transgenic soybean or corn plants expressing either IPD083Aa or IPD083Cb, respectively, show protection from feeding damage by several key pests under field conditions. The results from comparative studies with major Bt proteins currently deployed in transgenic crops indicate that the IPD083 proteins function by binding to different target sites. These results indicate that IPD083Aa and IPD083Cb can serve as alternatives to traditional Bt-based insect control traits with potential to counter insect resistance to Bt proteins.