In attempting to discover how a middle-class teacher copes with lower-class children in an urban school, the authors of this study (one an "outside" observer who sat at the side of the classroom, the other the teacher or "inside" observer) recorded the classroom actions and behavior of the teacher and his seventh grade pupils all day every day for…

An argument is made in this document for the development and testing of Computer Aided Instruction teaching models that are prescriptive as well as descriptive. It is felt that a Computer Aided Instruction system is needed more as a "Theory Machine" and a "Laboratory" than as an instrument for implementation. As the communication between the human…

This book is based on the premise that learning can best be facilitated when the teacher takes a diagnostic view of the instructional process. To further this end, each chapter contains materials, models, and techniques designed to implement diagnostic teaching in the language arts program. The seven chapters are "Foundations for Diagnostic…

Designed as a tool for k-12 teachers, this paper includes practical suggestions and sources for using a bulletin board to tell what's going on in the social studies classroom. Information is included on: 1) reasons for using bulletin boards; 2) ways that the boards can be planned and made jointly by students and teachers; 3) general rules to…

The instructional process has four major components: stimulation, orientation, transformation, and instrumental activity. Concerning stimulation, the instructor should highlight either the novelty or the complexity of the learning materials. Varying such factors as teaching style and mode of presentation, duration of instruction, and the learner's…

Today educators are finding the public turning in greater numbers to alternative forms of instruction, including Transcendental Meditation, apprenticeship, and consciousness-raising groups. This paper attempts to (1) map out the "universe" of instruction, going beyond the frontier of public elementary and secondary teaching to consider other…

Texts available for French courses in the highest grades are listed according to topics, which include: position of women, today's youth, the language of advertising, French colonialism, holidays and tourism, modern city living, criminality, French politics. Hints for the teacher are included. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Presents a framework for model development that, when used, will help the student (or professor) avoid the major pitfalls associated with modeling. Includes not properly identifying the controlling factors, lack of model validation and developing a model that is incompatible with its end use. (CW)

Reviews several issues involved in the reform of history teaching and suggests directions in which American history educators might proceed. Stresses the British model of understanding, cause and effect, and chronological sequence. (TRS)

Hungarian teachers were surveyed about the teaching methods they use, as well as the process of deciding what type of classroom technique to use. Over 3,000 teachers completed a questionnaire, while 100 were also interviewed. Results are discussed. Comments concerning research methodology are included. (GDC)

In the District of Columbia Public School system, two streams might characterize the professional development component of its strategic plan for high student achievement by 2014. On the one hand, the district has begun a two year professional development program aimed at making every teacher proficient. Knowing, teaching, and assessing standards…

The rapid growth of Web-based instruction has raised many questions about the quality of online courses. It appears that many online courses are simply modeled after traditional forms of instruction instead of incorporating a design that takes advantage of the unique capabilities of Web-based learning environments. This paper describes a research…

This Digest summarizes what is known about the use of positive behavioral support (PBS) and functional analysis (FA) to change the behaviors of students with a variety of disabilities. The paper notes that both PBS and FA differ from traditional behavioral management in focusing on systems, settings, and lack of skill. The 1997 reauthorization of…