Describes the Japanese approach to educational improvement called "research lessons," actual classroom lessons taught to a teacher's own students but observed by other teachers, recorded, and discussed. Outlines the impact of research lessons as examples of good educational practice that can be disseminated throughout Japan. (SLD)

Examines the nature of literacy activities in a technology-based fourth-grade classroom, investigating how the writing process is affected when technology is part of the classroom routine. Discusses findings in five areas: defining the writing episode, examining the writing process, assessing growth in written expression, relating production to…

Discusses studies done on second-language classroom interaction by classroom researchers and second-language (L2) acquisition researchers. Argues that it is critical to explore how the learner processes L2 information, because classroom interaction is a dynamic process characterized by the interplay between external verbal exchanges and internal…

Examined inclusion or making all children part of classroom life. Examined underinclusion, in which children remain on the fringe of the classroom community, and overinclusion, in which they are too involved in the social expectations of their classmates. Observations support appropriate amounts and forms of inclusion for optimal results. (DLH)

Describes the authors' ongoing collaborative teaching and encourages instructors to try it. Points out various ways that collaborative teaching can take place. Examines values and assumptions underlying collaborative teaching. Presents results of a case study looking at major benefits to classes and students, major benefits to instructors, and…

Argues that, when teachers begin to answer their own questions through research, and as they encourage their students to do the same, both groups benefit. Outlines issues involved, such as reading, experimental designs, sharing ideas with colleagues, qualitative research, action research, quantitative research, collaborating, and the research…

Discusses students (in two different settings, and both native and nonnative speakers) who were quiet in their English classrooms. Finds that dimensions of schooling which created barriers were opportunity to talk, self concepts, and texts and other course materials. Includes responses which consider how students can be helped to talk. (PA)

Explores a tentative typology of young children's invented notations proposed in a previous study transferred across another group of musically naive kindergarteners. Extends the previous study by including notation of known and original song material. A modal dissonance was found in the children's notations of known and original songs. (CMK)

This article addresses issues in successful classroom research, especially single-subject research, including selecting the research topic, choosing a research design, maintaining a sufficient number of participants, management and logistical problems, creating classroom conditions favorable to research, and scheduling time for research. (DB)

Describes how data from English language teaching (ELT) classroom research can be exploited in teacher development activities. The contribution data-based activities can make to teacher development is outlined, and examples that illustrate the principles underlying their design are presented. A case is made for using such activities to facilitate…

Observes an eighth grade science class in two overlapping perspectives: an action orientation and a discourse orientation. Reports that the teacher's actions encouraged univocal discourse between students and their reproductive understanding of scientific concepts. Concludes that before a class can become more like a scientific discourse…

Reviews the literature on peer evaluation to identify some of the best practices. Notes that best practices include building a foundation in the classroom that supports collaborative evaluation, creating effective tools, implementing formative feedback during the collaborative experience, formulating summative feedback at the conclusion of the…

Examines the effects of video on cultural knowledge at the intermediate level. Intermediate-level French students viewed eight videos. Pretest/posttest design assessed long-term gains in cultural knowledge and in the learning of cultural practices and cultural products from exposure to a curriculum with a video component. (Author/VWL)

Examines responses to the children's book "William's Doll" by two groups of fourth-grade students, one responding in 1975 and the other group responding in 1997. Finds that many responses to the idea of a boy wanting a doll for a toy still arose from heavily stereotyped attitudes toward gender. Notes implications for the classroom. (SR)

Observes literacy instruction in five first-grade classrooms. Finds classrooms headed by most-effective-for-locale teachers were characterized by excellent classroom management based on positive reinforcement and cooperation; balanced teaching of skills, literature, and writing; scaffolding and matching of task demands to student competence;…