Explores note writing and other "literacy events" in one sixth-grade classroom. Focuses on the "unofficial" use of literacy used to communicate within the students' underground classroom culture. Learning that exceeds adult expectations is evident in students' nonacademic writing which they use to present themselves, to share, and to order. (JS)

This description of the author's research (an ethnographic case study of an adult education center) is used to illustrate the difficulties and divisions between work-based practitioners and university researchers. Other issues include the influence of equal opportunity considerations, ethics and collaborative research, and participant observation…

Three occupational therapy fieldwork environments--mental health, adult physical disabilities, and pediatrics--were evaluated with the naturalistic inquiry methodology. Students and supervisors described and compared ideal clinical education environments with actual fieldwork environments. Different priorities emerged in the three environments,…

Describes a framework for child-centered programs. Topics discussed include teacher attitudes, the classroom environment, lesson plans, conversation, observation, perspective-taking, and teacher self-reflection. (RJC)

A study of two junior high male basketball teams tested the ability of an intervention model to alter values-related behavior, perceptions, and moral reasoning of the experimental group. Results suggest the treatment was effective in positively altering sportsmanlike and unsportsmanlike behavior. (IAH)

The Code for Instructional Structure and Student Academic Response--Special Education (CISSAR-SPED) is an observation system which assesses the ecobehavioral processes within learning environments. Use of CISSAR-SPED with 12 students with autism or developmental disabilities provided both molar and molecular descriptions of special education…

Describes a study that used a nonobtrusive methodology to determine the effectiveness of an information desk staffed by graduate students and nonprofessionals in an academic library. Relationships that were found between the level of staff members and the quality of reference services are described, and the implications for staffing patterns and…

Describes a study conducted at the Brigham Young University Library that examined the quality of reference service provided by students and department assistants, the adequacy of the training program, and the effectiveness of the system of referring patrons to subject specialist librarians. Recommendations for improving training programs and…

The objective of this study was to develop a scale to assess college-level teaching effectiveness in order to provide effective feedback for faculty in a nonthreatening atmosphere. (JOW)

Evaluates the impact of a four-year early childhood teacher education program in which preservice teachers were trained to identify and understand the roles of teachers through classroom observation, readings, and discussion. (DE)

This article describes the peer and self assessment procedure implemented in the secondary methods classes at Central Michigan University. Students use a data-based assessment instrument to assess videotaped micro-peer-teaching presentations made by themselves and other students. (IAH)

Study of 16 principals in Chicago, Illinois, reveals that in the investigation of ethical-choice behavior, the corporate-incentives model proves to be inadequate as an explanation of principality. What is referred to as counter-bureaucratic behavior is a survival mechanism for beleaguered principals--a balance weight to seemingly anti-educational…

This article examines some of the advantages and problems in using qualitative (naturalistic) research methods to understand teaching, learning, and schooling. An example of naturalistic research involving first year teachers is included. (IAH)

A practicum course for prospective teachers of the gifted was designed, implemented, and evaluated. The 209 teachers found the practicum teaching, observations of their teaching, and papers they wrote to be effective learning experiences. Observers' ratings of the teachers indicated that a majority performed well in the practicum. (Author/JDD)

The emotional experience of one teacher was studied in depth using phenomenological interviews and participant observation. The teacher experienced a variety of emotions generated when the instructional dynamics of the lesson were congruent or incongruent with his professional practical knowledge, and a compelling emotional state of "being a…