Examines learning and teaching strategies by giving a one-hour workshop on techniques for reading technical material to undergraduate psychology students. Uses a blank information map, a set of behavioral objectives, and instructions for notetaking as study aids. Demonstrates that using information maps and behavioral objectives improves exam…

Describes observations of 35 excellent teachers at all levels and a wide range of subjects. Discusses what common traits these uncommon teachers share. (SR)

Analyzes talk to discover what teacher verbal behaviors are associated with critical thinking and problem-solving behavior in children. Finds that teacher questioning and structuring in role enhanced the amount of children's evaluative and divergent thinking most. Offers an analytical comparison of two lessons to demonstrate teaching strategies.…

Describes the background and context of how action research has grown in the Madison (Wisconsin) Metropolitan School District--the organization and process being used to help teachers and principals work on their research questions, the value of the experience as perceived by the participants, and lessons learned about implementing action research…

Discusses the ways that one English teacher researched her student's language patterns and used that information to adjust her teaching. Considers the difficulty of changing ingrained habits of nongrammatical usage in student speech and writing. (HB)

Describes a classroom project conducted at Mary Washington College to examine students' awareness of the demands posed by the various academic writing tasks required during the semester; discover how that awareness develops with experience; and orient new students to the roles writing plays in their academic lives. (DMM)

Reviews a number of classroom research projects conducted at Pfeiffer College, which investigated four teaching strategies: using modified cooperative learning groups within courses; linking upper-level students to selected lower-level students; using coached cooperative learning groups; and peer mentoring. (DMM)

Presents study results exploring the use of learning activities in secondary school mathematics instruction. Explains that seven categories of learning activities, one traditional and six active learning, were identified. Reports that heads of mathematics departments estimated occurrence of the activities in their schools. Concludes that active…

Describes research in which the author studied his own teaching over a two-year period and, based on the research, developed a model for structuring drama to support reflection and learning. (SR)

An in-depth analysis is presented of four secondary social studies departments that have made structural changes in school organization while promoting higher order thinking. In these departments, certain organizational structures, combined with clear curricular emphases, appear to be associated with higher levels of classroom thoughtfulness. (SLD)

Concerned that many students were barely surviving introductory chemistry rather than thriving, one college teacher used classroom research to assess and encourage student involvement and to understand students' difficulties with the material. Although student achievement has not risen measurably, students appreciate the techniques and participate…

Describes a classroom research project that explores an important feature of the learning context of computer-integrated basic writing classes: verbal response to on-screen student text. Explains methods designed and used. Considers how teachers can work more effectively with basic writers in a computer classroom where writing practice and oral…

Describes how play centers can be enriched in the functional uses of print. Details some of the effects observed on the frequency and quality of literacy activities in the spontaneous play of 37 preschoolers. (MG)

Urges developmental educators to undertake classroom research. Offers guidance on the formulation of research questions. Compares four research methodologies: correlational, experimental, descriptive, and ethnographic research. Reviews potential problems. (DMM)

Finds an interaction between student gender and instructor gender on teaching evaluations in mass communication. Shows that male students rated male instructors higher and that female students rated female instructors higher. (SR)