Recently, a debate has begun over whether in-class laptops aid or hinder learning. While some research demonstrates that laptops can be an important learning tool, anecdotal evidence suggests more and more faculty are banning laptops from their classrooms because of perceptions that they distract students and detract from learning. The current…

Investigates the effects of pleasant fragrances on student behavior in two eighth-grade science classrooms. Suggests that students in a scented environment required fewer redirections of their behavior from the teacher. (SR)

This review of research examines the contributions of American and European researchers to understanding how classrooms work and what "frame" or format factors exert their influence and supply the foundation that underlies academic achievement. (IAH)

Researchers as well as others evaluating teachers or programs are often interested in the verbal and non-verbal behaviors related to the learning of students in classrooms. The Student Record of Behavior (StRoBe) is a classroom observation instrument designed to provide simple low inference information concerning student behaviors related to…

The school survival skills of 36 learning disabled (LD) high school students were compared with those of nonhandicapped and emotionally disturbed students. Although LD students tended to be ill prepared, inattentive, and not to volunteer comments or questions, their performance was not significantly different from that of the normal control group.…

After reviewing effective teaching research during the past 20 years, one basic question arises: do teachers make any difference? Specifically, do teachers' classroom practices have any effect on student outcomes beyond the effects of ability and home background? What knowledge of minimal teaching competencies has been gained, and how firm is the…

This executive summary of the multiyear Beginning Teacher Evaluation Study (BTES) focuses principally on the findings of Phase III-B of this research program on teaching effectiveness. One outcome of the BTES study was a concept that makes it possible to measure individual student learning by noting observable variables of student behavior in the…

Three researchers, addressing the problem of instructional improvement, identify sound research findings and cite problems associated with the transfer of these findings into classroom practice. Donald M. Medley, in "An Overview of Research on Classroom Teaching," identifies three variables which consistently differentiate between effective and…

The study evaluated the reliability and validity of SCAN, a measurement technique for assessing class involvement in the learning process (classroom climate for learning). Concurrent validity was investigated by comparing SCAN ratings to a point-sampling of on-task performance behaviors. The Engaged Time Observation Instrument (ETOI) was used to…

Time use in different activities in junior high school is described, and relationships between class time use and student achievement, behavior and attitude are examined. A total of 102 English and mathematics classes were observed for about 9 hours each. Data included descriptive narratives, time logs, student engagement ratings and observer…

Using a time-sampling observation method, three experimental fifth- and sixth-grade classrooms were observed during discussion sessions with three desk arrangements: rows, clusters, and circles. Results indicated students seated in circles engage in significantly more on-task behavior. As expected, observed pupil behavior varied significantly…

Discusses the use of correspondence training in the classroom to improve learning outcomes. Defines the training as an experimental behavioral strategy that takes into account the degree to which people achieve what they are aiming to do. Concludes from research involving middle school students that the subjects achieved a better work output in…

The differences in off-task behavior rates exhibited by kindergarten students during narrative and non-narrative-based social studies instruction was investigated. Off-task behavior was operationally defined and students were observed during eight different lessons. Four lessons employed story narrative picture books and four lessons used…

Describes a research study in which students were observed in eight secondary school mathematics classes and time lost from instructional activities was assessed using a time-filter. A typical child was assessed as spending slightly more than half the allocated time to time on task. Stability of results is discussed. (EAO)

An overview of research studies on the relationship among time factors and student achievement is presented. The California Beginning Teacher Evaluation Study is cited as a seminal work in this area. A brief summary of findings on allocated time, engaged time, and academic learning time includes a discussion on how these studies have been expanded…