One hundred and forty-three subjects were identified as Field Independent or Field Dependent based on their performance on the Group Embedded Figures Test, a measure of cognitive style. Results indicated that Field Independent students performed significantly better on course tests and had higher academic potential as measured by the ACT, than Field Dependent students. A regression analysis was conducted to determine which measures would contribute variance to a course test (number correct) criterion. Although both the GEFT and the ACT were significantly related to course test performance, only the ACT contributed significant variance to the regression, F(1,141) = 12.99, r=.29, p <.01. A Principal Components Factor Analysis applied to the GEFT, ACT, and course test data identified two factors. The course tests were associated with factor 1 while the GEFT and ACT were more closely associated with factor 2. The regression and factor analysis results suggest that the ACT and GEFT tests are measuring similar or related constructs for this sample of subjects.
Experimental subjects were assigned to study in groups based on their cognitive style as measured by the Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT). Whyte, Knirk, Casey and Willard found that when computer-based instruction is used, enhanced academic performance resulted from cooperative learning groups consisting of field independent and mixed (field independent, field dependent) students [ 11. However, they found that lower academic performance results from learning groups consisting only of field dependent learners. In another study Dwyer and Moore reported that field independent students performed more efficiently on a series of visually and verbally oriented tests than did field department subjects [2]. Experimental subjects scoring above average on the G E m were designated field independent. Subjects scoring below the GEFT mean were identified as field dependent. Subjects were assigned to one of three groups (field independent, field dependent, and mixed, i.e., both field independent and field dependent). A group of controls received the identical instruction as that of the experimental students but did not participate in any cooperative tutoring. Instead, control group subjects were directed to study independently. Experimental and control student performance was compared on a series of multiple choice exams. Results indicated enhanced performance for the peer tutoring subjects. There was no evidence of improved performance resulting from group assignment based on cognitive style.
Distance education is becoming an increasingly common method for delivering courses to postsecondary students. Presently, most course offerings are still primarily print-based. This author hypothesizes that augmenting print-based distance courses with other technologies enhances the effectiveness of student learning. The use of videotape, television, one- and two-way audio/videoconferencing is explored, as well as the use of the Internet. Strategies for integrating these technologies are presented, as well as some advantages and disadvantages of each.
Students from five educational foundations classes were tested using an identical pretest and posttest which contained questions designed to ascertain their knowledge and skill in utilizing library technology to obtain research information. The purpose of the study was to determine if the present bibliographic instruction methods used by instructor librarians in the library's computer classroom were effective by using the t-test to determine the results of the mean difference between the pretest and posttest scores of those students who attended the bibliographic instruction session and those who did not attend.Library instruction programs in academic libraries have continued to evolve and develop rapidly over the last several years primarily because of the progress in the creation of new electronic technology. The computer has become a medium of knowledge transfer; a calculating device has become a communicating device and adapting to the new environment will require challenging old assumptions [1]. Most academic libraries have discarded their card catalogs in favor of the online automated catalogs (OPAC) which can retrieve information about materials in the library collection thoroughly and quickly. The online catalog can retrieve information about books and journals articles for students involved in research projects usually in a matter of seconds. Citations of journal articles and in some instances even full-text journal articles can be accessed online not only 133
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