College attrition and the financial support systems of students

Five groups of undergraduate students, dropouts (academic dismissals), low (GPA) stopouts, high (GPA) stopouts, low (GPA) persisters, and high (GPA) persisters were compared in terms of their responses to a checklist of financial sources of support. Clear sex differences were observed in the reliance on financial sources, either singly or in terms of total sources utilized. Differences related to year in school were also observed. The most significant finding related to attrition was that persisters relied on more sources of support than did withdrawers. This outcome was interpreted in terms of differences between persisters and withdrawers in motivational and personality characteristics that promote the seeking and securing of sources of support.     

Trends in computer applications in science assessment

Seven computer applications to science assessment are reviewed. Conventional test administration includes record keeping, grading, and managing test banks. Multiple-choice testing involves forced selection of an answer from a menu, whereas constructed-response testing involves options for students to present their answers within a set standard deviation. Adaptive testing attempts to individualize the test to minimize the number of items and time needed to assess a student's knowledge. Figurai response testing assesses science proficiency in pictorial or graphic mode and requires the student to construct a mental image rather than selecting a response from a multiple choice menu. Simulations have been found useful for performance assessment on a large-scale basis in part because they make it possible to independently specify different aspects of a real experiment. An emerging approach to performance assessment is solution pathway analysis, which permits the analysis of the steps a student takes in solving a problem. Virtually all computer-based testing systems improve the quality and efficiency of record keeping and data analysis.     

Effect of computer interfaces on chemistry problem solving among various ethnic groups: A comparison of Pen-Point and Powerbook computers

This study investigated the effect of Pen-Point and Powerbook computers on solving a multiple step chemistry (molaritý) problem among White, Afro-American and Hispanic students (N=60) at the high school level. The screens on both computers were partitioned into a work field and a reasoning field. Both computers were programmed to record the time spent in each field, the number of entries made, and a copy of the entries made. Statistical analysis of data showed that more of the White and Afro-American Pen-Point computer users solved the problem correctly than did students using the Powerbook computer. All three ethnic groups made fewer entries, and took less time using the Pen-Point computer than the Powerbook. Attitude survey results of all ethnic groups showed that more Pen-Point computer users felt comfortable working with computers. Over all, the results suggest that the Pen-Point computer has a more positive effect on the problem solving performance and attitude of students towards computers than the Powerbook computer.     

Analyzing administrative costs and structures

Administrative growth and administrative expenditures are major issues for institutions of higher education. This paper reports on a study of administrative costs and structures at lowa State University. Various indicators of administrative efficiency are examined, including those related to administrative structures, administrative costs, administrative salaries, and administrative intensity. For each of these aspects, the paper describes the methodology used, summarizes the findings, and provides comparisons to peer institutions when these are available. Conclusions and plans, for the ongoing examination of administrative costs and structures at lowa State University are presented. The final section discusses the adaptability of the methodologies used in this study to studies that could be conducted by other institutions of higher education. Presented at the 1993 AIR Forum, Chicago, May 1993.     

The diffusion of moisture in sorbent solids part II. activated alumina

Ordinary and thermal diffusion of moisture in activated alumina are investigated using a new diffusion cell design and scheme of analysis reported earlier. The specific form of the mass flux equation has a pronounced effect on the magnitude of the associated thermal diffusion ratio. In the case of activated alumina-moist air, if a partial pressure gradient is used, then the thermal diffusion term is small if not zero.Free, Knudsen and surface diffusion all play a part in the diffusion through activated alumina. However, surface diffusion makes the major contribution and for this reason the model in this case can be simplified to a two parameter surface model.The activation energy for surface diffusion is constant and is approximately equal to the mean isosteric heat of absorption. In addition, mean pore radius, turtuosity, and other physical constants are computed from the least square fit of experimental data. Furthermore, the model is theoretically consistent over the entire concentration range (0≦ C_A ≦ C_Asat).A new fact about activated alumina (Grade F1) it that it does not transfer moisture in a nonisothermal condition so long as the partial pressures of moisture on the two sides of the pellet are the same. There appears to be no previous report of this fact in the periodical literature.