Research in Higher Education Journal 

About: Research in Higher Education Journal is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Higher education & Academic achievement. It has an ISSN identifier of 1941-3432. Over the lifetime, 272 publications have been published receiving 2273 citations.

Building Character through Literacy with Children's Literature.

Abstract: Character education is described as curriculum specifically developed to teach children about the quality and traits of good character. One means in which children can learn about good character is through the pages of high quality children’s literature. In this study, the author defines the characteristics of an effective character development program for grades K-6 built around children’s literature. Discussion focuses on how literature can be brought into the curriculum in helping to develop character traits in a meaningful, substantial manner.

Developing Preservice Teachers' Self-Efficacy through Field-Based Science Teaching Practice with Elementary Students.

Abstract: Thirty preservice teachers enrolled in a field-based science methods course were placed at a public elementary school for coursework and for teaching practice with elementary students. Candidates focused on building conceptual understanding of science content and pedagogical methods through innovative curriculum development and other course assignments during the first ten weeks. Teaching practice with fifth-grade students at the hosting elementary school occurred over a five-week period towards the end of the course. The researcher sought to determine if teacher candidates’ confidence would rise in a teacher preparation environment that included exposure to authentic teaching practice. A pretest-posttest administration of the STEBIB determined that general efficacy and personal science teaching efficacy (PSTE) increased significantly as hypothesized. Science teaching outcome expectancy (STOE) increased, but to a lesser degree.

Graduate Students' Perceptions of Online Learning.

Abstract: Online education has definitely moved into higher education with new programs being added continuously. How can institutions ensure that they are offering quality programs? A vital source of information should come from the students who participated in this study. The purpose of this study was to gain insights into graduate students' perceptions regarding online learning. Two-hundred forty-nine (249) graduate students were surveyed to identify positive components that led to their satisfaction and perceived challenges that inhibited it. Findings from the study indicated that interaction, between students and with the instructor has a major impact on their satisfaction. Other challenges identified were sufficient learner support that linked to campus resources, and the need for varying instructional design and delivery to facilitate students' desire to learn. In contrast, students were highly satisfied with the clarity and organization of instruction using sufficient resources. The instructor's role was identified as being vitally important to students' satisfaction.

Success Rates of Online versus Traditional College Students.

Abstract: Are students setting themselves up for failure by taking online courses? Should students be restricted from taking online courses if they have not reached a certain GPA? Should students who fail or withdraw from an online course be required to take to traditional courses for at least one semester? At one Historically Black College or University (HBCU) there seemed to be a marked difference in the success of students taking online courses versus students taking face-to-face courses. Online students seemed to have a higher withdrawal rate, failure rate and seemed to have more trouble completing assignments by the deadline, if at all. Therefore, in the spring 2010 semester data were gathered from four management courses, two online and two face-to-face, across two different subjects, with different professors and different students to see if there was any notable difference in online achievement versus face-to-face achievement and if there was a difference in achievement why were online students performing so poorly as compared to face-to-face students.