IMPACT OF FULL-TIME VERSUS PART-TIME INSTRUCTOR STATUS ON COLLEGE STUDENT RETENTION AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN SEQUENTIAL COURSES

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the relation between full - time or part - time instructor status and college student retention and academic performance in sequential courses . Results indicate that for either developmental or regular courses, college students who take the first course in a sequence from a part - time instructor , and who take the second course in the sequence from a full - time instructor seem underprepared for the second course. By contrast to students experiencing other instructor status combinations (part - time / part - time , full - time / part - time , or full - time / full - time), these students are significantly less likely to either complete or achieve a grade of "C" or better in the second course. Sequential course instructor status, therefore, seems to be a predictor of college student success. Implications for practice pertaining to further research, college students, and institutions are discussed.     

Quality, Evolution, and Positional Change of University Students’ Argumentation Patterns About Organic Agriculture During an Argument–Critique–Argument Experience

The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality, evolution, and position of university students’ argumentation about organic agriculture over a 4-week argument–critique–argument e-learning experience embedded in a first year university biology course. The participants (N??=??43) were classified into three groups based on their epistemological views. Data collected from individual arguments, group deliberations, and individual critiques were coded and analyzed to establish the quality and evolution of argumentation. Results indicated significant improvement in the quality of their justifications between the first and second arguments. Post-hoc comparison of epistemological groups indicated that the more constructivist-oriented students had a greater significant evolution of their justifications than the more empiricist-oriented students, but there was no significant main effect for epistemological orientation. Qualitative analysis of the intervening critiques indicated that some students incorporated or used other students’ arguments or counter-arguments to change their position or to enhance the justification of their original position on organic agriculture, while others appeared to be locked into a confirmation-bias stance and search for evidence that supported their original position and disregarded contradictory evidence.     

A comparison of WISC-R and stanford-binet intelligence scale classifications of developmentally disabled children

WISC-Rs and Stanford-Binets were administered to 50 children with developmental disabilities referred for comprehensive evaluations. Although the two IQs correlated highly and significantly, it was found that 54% of the children received different classifications using the two instruments. Thus, testers should be aware that different classifications of intellectual level may be derived for the same child depending upon which test is used.