The purpose of this Child Development Associate (CDA) training module, one of a series of 18, is to teach trainees methods for guiding children's behavior to foster positive growth and development. Early sections of the module stipulate the module's competency-based objectives, define terms and suggest a procedure by which trainees can evaluate…

A COMPARISON IS MADE BETWEEN THE TEACHING MACHINE AND HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL TEXT FORMATS. A TEACHING MACHINE PRESENTS AN ORDERED SEQUENCE OF INSTRUCTION TO THE LEARNER, ONE FRAME AT A TIME. AFTER RESPONDING TO A STIMULUS FRAME, THE LEARNER'S ANSWER IS IMMEDIATELY CONFIRMED OR CORRECTED. THE LEARNER PROCEEDS TO THE NEXT FRAME AND IS PREVENTED…

Among the teaching variables likely to influence pupil engagement rates are classroom management strategies and instructional behaviors used during presentation of the lesson. Thirteen junior high school science classes were observed to determine how variation in classroom management techniques related to variation in pupil engagement rates, and…

The effects of behavioral and performance contingencies on classroom behavior and on academic performance were investigated. The subjects, third grade students from an inner city elementary school, were exposed to a series of conditions including baseline, behavior contingencies, performance contingencies, and a mix of behavior and performance…

This is a report on the application of operant condition methods to classroom discipline problems. The setting was Clara Tagg Brewer Elementary School in CLEVELAND, Ohio. The school is located in a community consisting mostly of lower-middle class black families. A few children come from a "run down" section of the community, including…

An investigation sought to identify student characteristics and behaviors as they related to work habits, classroom disturbances, and dependence on the teacher, in the foreign language classroom. It is suggested that such data are useful in planning teaching methods. (AM)

Demonstrates the need for teaching strategies that incorporate the concepts of power and freedom into existing courses. Identifies classroom environments that enable students to make choices as beneficial and describes some strategies for promoting a more democratic classroom. (AEM)

After describing the pros and cons of reduced class size, this article evaluates the effectiveness of a pilot project sponsored by the Indiana Department of Education to reduce the size of its primary grade classes. Methodology and results are presented and discussed. (JL)

This interview and observational study examined differences in the behavior of teachers and students in high- and low-ability reading groups within 20 kindergarten and first grade heterogeneous classrooms, to determine if intraclass ability grouping interferes with the academic development of low-income and minority students. (PN)

The present study contributes to knowledge of the construct validity of the short form of the Teacher Sense of Efficacy Scale (and by extension, given their similar content and psychometric properties, to the long form). The authors' research involves: (1) examining the psychometric properties of the TSES on a large sample of elementary, middle,…

This book will help teachers better relate to, understand, and love their job. This is a professional resource that contains innovative ideas, visuals, and reproducibles that can be referenced quickly to help make the job easier. This comprehensive resource offers practical teaching techniques, solutions, and tips on: (1) Planning and designing…

Noting that literature on higher education instruction is sparse on the topic of class and course endings, this paper provides advice on how to successfully end individual classes and semester-long courses in ways that maximize learning and minimize discomfort. Based on this literature and a discussion the authors initiated through online computer…

This study investigated whether there was a difference in the level of academic achievement for African American students when instructed through lecture and discussion and cooperative learning methods in the social studies classroom. Participants were 58 African American 12th graders in an urban public school. A control group was instructed using…

This book presents a collection of tips focused around six themes. In "Teaching Techniques," teachers share ways in which they have increased their effectiveness and enhanced their interaction with students. "Content" provides methods of delivering art, science, reading, and other subjects in ways that will inspire and motivate…

This book is packed with practical advice drawn from the author's extensive and successful experience as an English teacher, examiner and teacher trainer. It is accessible and very readable, and may be dipped into for innovative lesson ideas or read from cover to cover as a short, enjoyable course which combines exciting teaching principles in…